Destinee Ortiz of Romeoville was elected president of the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners during a reorganization meeting held on Thursday, Dec. 19.

She succeeds former President Annette Parker of Lockport, who was elected county clerk in the November election and is no longer on the Forest Preserve Board. Ortiz will serve the first year of a two-year term. Judy Ogalla of Monee was chosen by the Board to serve as president for the second year of the two-year term, and she will become Board president in December 2025. 

The term was split because there is an even number of Democrats and Republicans on the 22-member Board. Ortiz, who was elected to the Board in 2022, is a Democrat, and Ogalla, who was elected to the Board in 2012, is a Republican. 

Ogalla will be vice president while Ortiz is president, and Ortiz will be vice president when Ogalla is president. 

'Humbled and grateful'

Ortiz is a special education paraprofessional. She and her husband, Rafael, have three children. She said being elected to the post of president is an incredible honor. 

“I am humbled and grateful to be chosen to lead such an important organization protecting our natural heritage,” she said in an email. “I feel a deep connection to the land and the communities we serve, knowing that I have the privilege and duty to guide decisions that will affect the environment for generations to come. There is a sense of purpose in knowing that I am part of something bigger than myself, working alongside passionate individuals to preserve the beauty of our forests and parks.” 

Ortiz also noted that she is the first Generation Z and Latina to serve as president of the Forest Preserve Board. She said her Latino heritage values stewardship of the land and Gen Z is focused on climate change, conservation and sustainability, which all align with the mission of the Forest Preserve. As president, Ortiz said she would work for a future where the preserves continue to thrive and serve both nature and the communities around them.

“I am committed to ensuring that conservation efforts remain at the heart of the Forest Preserve’s work, while also addressing the evolving needs of our communities,” she said. 

Additional officers

At the reorganization meeting, the Board also elected Julie Berkowicz of Naperville as treasurer and Mica Freeman of Plainfield as secretary. 

Ortiz selected committee chairs and vice chairs with the advice and consent of the Board. Katie Deane-Schlottman of Joliet will chair the operations committee, and Kelly Hickey of Naperville will serve as vice chair. Sherry Newquist of Steger will chair the finance committee, and Vince Logan of Joliet will serve as vice chair. Herbert Brooks Jr. of Joliet will chair the ad hoc committee, and Frankie Pretzel of New Lenox will serve as vice chair.