Story posted Friday, March 12, 2010
Woods To Be Named After Carl Hansen
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
In memory of former Elk Grove Township Republican committeeman and Cook County Board Commissioner Carl Hansen, who died from complications from dementia at the age of 83 on Feb. 2, Shoe Factory Road Woods near Rte. 59 and Golf Road in Hoffman Estates will be renamed in his honor this spring.
The Cook County Forest Preserve board voted unanimously to rename the forest preserve in honor of Hansen, a long time Mt. Prospect resident. The renaming idea was born from Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider (R-15th), who defeated Hansen in 2006.
"Carl was instrumental in keeping that land from being turned into a landfill back in the 1980s, which was being considered for a landfill," said Schneider. "Carl fought it and opposed landfills in forest preserves."
A short time after Hansen's death, Schneider spent time trying to figure out a way to memorialize his predecessor and former opponent.
"I wanted to commemorate his service to the county and district and I remember when we were campaigning against one another, he used landfills in forest preserves as one of his major campaign points and that was one of his successes as county commissioner so I thought this was an appropriate way to honor him," said Schneider. Schneider said he talked to Hansen's son who lives in Germany and was informed he will return to the United States in May. At that time, a dedication will be conducted.
"I would like to get as many people out to the site and do a ribbon cutting, if possible," said Schneider.
There will also be a sign at the entrance of the forest preserve that will read "Carl R. Hansen Woods."
In 1970, Hansen served 10 months on the county board on an interim basis. He was then was elected to the same public body in 1974. He retained that position for 32 years.
Hansen served as Elk Grove Township Republican committeeman for over 40 years dating back to the 1960s.
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