Lawmaker's White Pines Action Questioned

BENSENVILLE, IL – A state representative candidate is questioning the incumbent's handling of a bill that allows the sale of nearly half of the White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville.

The club is a few blocks north of Elmhurst's city limit. The bill passed into law last year.

Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, pushed the bill at the request of the Bensenville Park District.

Now, the park district is considering whether to sell 125 acres of the 260-acre club, which contains two 18-hole golf courses.

Last week, a member of the Residents Saving White Pines page on Facebook asked Willis' opponent in next Tuesday's Democratic primary about her position on the sale.

In a message to the member, candidate Norma Hernandez of Melrose Park said she disagreed with how Willis sponsored the bill without public input.

Residents are divided over whether to sell nearly half of White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville. (David Giuliani/Patch)

"This process should have been more transparent, along with an understanding on what the environmental impacts are," Hernandez said.

Last month, Willis, who represents House District 77, released a public statement calling for the park district to hold a referendum on whether to sell the land. Asked about her opponent's comments Wednesday, Willis referred to her previous statement.

"Due to the number of rumors and speculations, I urge the Park District Board to show full transparency," Willis said in her statement. "I encourage the board to share the various development proposals."

In an interview Wednesday, Willis said she has no stake in White Pines one way or the other. She said the district could not even investigate selling the land without the state legislation in question.

"No state representative has any bearing on what the park district does," Willis said. "It's up to the park district."

Hernandez said in an interview that residents would not be in the "predicament" without Willis.

"She enabled this whole situation without community input," said Hernandez, who said she has attended the last three park board meetings. "We have to think about climate change when we're thinking about the use of public spaces."

The park board has yet to decide on whether to sell the land.

With the declining use of the club, the park district says the proceeds of a sale could help the district upgrade its other facilities.

Nearby residents, though, contend a sale could result in light industrial development that would worsen traffic, noise and flooding.

The park district says a sale could generate up to $150 million.