Forest Preserve

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District contracts with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police for policing services. The Forest Preserve Unit is comprised of one civilian director, two full-time Deputies and four seasonal Deputies that are assigned to the Forest Preserve Unit during peak seasons. The Forest Preserve Unit’s primary function is to police all Forest Preserve property in Winnebago County, enforcing both state laws and county ordinance. The Forest Preserve Unit works with Illinois Department of Natural Resources to enforce poaching laws, hunting/fishing license statutes and other violations of Gaming Laws. The Forest Preserve Unit patrols by squad car, snowmobile, ATV, golf-cart and cross-country ski.