3,000 acres will be added to forest preserve if Cook County voters OK tax hike, officials say

The largest roadless area — and most remote place — in Cook County: Cap Sauers Holding, a forested, certified nature preserve within the Sag Valley Trail System. (Provided/Cook County Forest Preserve District)

A referendum on the ballot this November will ask Cook County voters for a property tax hike to support and grow the county’s vast forest preserves.

The referendum in the Nov. 8 general election would ask property owners to contribute on average about $1.50 more in property taxes per month toward the preserves, or around $20 a year. About $3 to $4 of a homeowner’s current property tax already goes to the forest preserves each month.