Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports

Cook County Forest Preserves Board Authorize Funds for Advertising and Promotional Services

2/4/2026

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners meeting
February 3, 2026

Item #26-0015 Advertising and Promotional Services Fiscal Impact

The Forest Preserves of Cook County requested authorization for the General Superintendent to have discretionary spending up to $300,000 per year for up to two years for advertising and promotional services with a variety of media vendors to promote and showcase the amenities, programs and natural areas of the Forest Preserves.
The promotions include focused geographic and demographic outreach to communities that have been underserved.

Commissioners asked about efforts to reach out to school educators, local tourism offices, seniors and veterans. Some commissioners mentioned the value of the forest preserve calendars to promote the Forest Preserve. Part of the activities will include tabling at Farmer’s Markets.

General Superintendent Bianchi shared updates about restoration and the value of the Green Corps in restoration and seed gathering work. The Green Corps is a paid job training program for individuals with barriers to employment. A goal of the Cook County Forest Preserves is to be a national model for conservation. Lastly, the upcoming calendar of events was shared with a focus on Black History month and lunar events.

Observers: Laura Davis and Sabine Scholz

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Cook County FPD Board Meetings

1/21/2026

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Forest Preserve DIstrict of Cook County Board Committee Meetings
January 13, 2026 (9:15 to 10:15 am)

Real Estate Committee - Approved partnership with Pike House Foundation and Beverly Art Alliance for preservation, restoration and operation of the Eugene S. Pike House (1826 W. 91st St., Chicago). Also approved road improvements.

Finance Committee on Litigation - Approved legal fees in the amount of $24,000.

Finance Committee - Revenues exceeded expenses by 2.9 million for 1st 3 quarters of 2025.

Law Enforcement Committee - Forest Preserve Police presented a biannual report. Mission statement, code of ethics, goals, recruitment plans, career exposure and professional growth objectives were presented. 7 drones were purchased for search and rescue missions along with training. 79 officers have been hired and they have been recruiting for 27 open positions. Discussed vetting of officers.

Capital Development and Ecological Committee - 63 million budgeted for 2026 to focus on trail improvement, restroom/facility improvements and reducing electrical demands. Grant funding to be reviewed to keep levels current ($19,000).

Forest Preserve DIstrict of Cook County Board Meeting
January 13, 2026 (10:15 - 10:45 am)
Adam Bianchi (Forest Preserve Superintendent) highlighted the Chicago Wilderness Awards of Excellence in Ecological Restoration for Busse Woods Nature Preserve restoration and Powderhorn Lake Habitat restoration. Michelle Parker from the Audubon Society thanked the Forest Preserve for their assistance in adding 100 acres of wetland from Powderhorn Lake to Wolf Lake.
Discussed parking agreement approvals, agreement with Willow Springs stable for parking/trail entrance, Lakeshore recycling/trash agreement for $900,000, auditing, workers compensation approval, and proposed calendar of events. E-mails will be sent to commissioners regarding Forest Preserve events with zoned events for their constituents.
Also highlighted 5.1 million for land acquisition, Busse Woods restoration in conjunction with Brookfield Zoo and popularity of the Elk herd, nature express bus which allowed 1800 people to access the Forest Preserves and 7800 hours of service provided by volunteers. Upcoming events include Dr. Martin Luther King service events and Black History/Underground Railroad events in addition to winter activities such as winter birding and photography.

Observer: Linda Bareis

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More Community Education Needed from Forest Preserves Regarding Controlled Burns

12/19/2025

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
December 16, 2025

The Forest Preserve Environmental and Sustainability committee presented a report on the Chicago Wilderness Alliance Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan (CWPP) [25-0331]. Led by the Cook County Forest Preserves, the report was presented by John McCabe and covered August 13, 2013 to June 2024. The plan was developed to guide mitigation and facilitate fire adapted communities in Lake, Cook, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will counties.
The purpose of the plan is to:

Reduce loss due to wildfires
Promote effective wildfire response
Bring awareness to land management in the wildland-urban interface
Promote effective fuels management
Educate the public on wildfire prevention and mitigation

This plan reflects the collaborative effort and input of numerous community members, emergency responders, local organizations, and stakeholders from each of the six represented counties. It is a comprehensive strategy with the use of GIS for spatial data to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire risks in the region.
Key findings are:

Since the prior report only 2% of the area in 6 counties, or 100,000 acres, is classified as high risk.
The 6 county area has lost over 400,000 acres of open space due to development.
The biggest risk factor is smoke. Within one mile of a wildfire, eight million people can be impacted.

Action items are:

Improve accuracy and consistency of reporting
Create defensible spaces in high risk areas
Implementation of fuel reduction measures
Promotion of interdisciplinary training for fire departments

Questions and comments from commissioners revolved mainly about how the Forest Preserves communicates to a community regarding controlled burns. Tactics include education at local libraries, knocking on doors, door hangers, working with local fire departments, and with the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. The Cook County Forest Preserve is educating local departments on the importance of reporting each forest preserve burn that they may respond to. This is important for tracking and accuracy. The report was received and filed.

Observers: Laura Davis and Marge Pearson

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Cook County Forest Preserve District 2026 Budget Approved

11/30/2025

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
November 18, 2025

The Cook County Forest Preserves (CCFP) Commissioners unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 budget.

The 2026 budget is $194.1 million dollars. This includes $31.3 million dollars to fund Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Corporate budget which funds the day-to-day operations of the Preserves is $92.6 million which also funds capital improvements, real estate acquisition and self insurance.
This budget was completed by the new CCFP Superintendent Adam Bianchi with the help of the CCFP commissioners and many staff members. The total budget increases by 2.5 percent, and the corporate budget by 3.7 percent over last year.
Fiscal Year 2026 will be the fourth Forest Preserves budget since the Referendum was overwhelmingly passed by the voters of Cook County, providing more than $40 million annually to invest in nature. Its impact is foundational for this year’s accomplishments.
September revenues exceeded $13.2 million.
One amendment was approved to the 2026 budget which will reallocate $51,000 for expanding the Underground Railroad project at several CCFP sites.

Additional items discussed:

Beaubien Woods: A state-of-the-art accessible canoe and kayak launch are completed. This is only the 4th accessible boat launch in Illinois. Also approved was the purchase of a small parcel of land from the Chicago Housing Authority from the Altgeld Gardens housing development for connections to Beaubien Woods.
The CCFPs partnered with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to provide a completely accessible camping experience for some of their patients. This was very successful and is planned again for 2026.
A long standing lawsuit involving the CCFP and the care of a coyote was dismissed in a detailed 30 page document.
The Sauk Trail Woods is now the first CCFP property that is 100% zero net energy.
CCFP received four different awards recently for the planning and improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail.
November 18 (day of meeting) was also the first day for people to make reservations for events in the CCFP and almost 1000 people called and booked over 700 events on just the first day.
Andrew Johnson, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, spoke to thank the CCFP commissioners for always recognizing the Land Acknowledgement of the Native People at all meetings. He talked about how meaningful that is to all Native People.

Observer - Deborah Halpern

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Forest Preserves Grant to Support Greencorps Chicago Conservation Corps

10/22/2025

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
October 21, 2025

Board Action:

The Cook County Forest Preserves accepted a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (25-0326). The funding of $220,200 will provide additional support to the Greencorps Chicago Conservation Corps program. Greencorps Chicago is Chicago’s green-industry employment program which provides job skills training for individuals with barriers to employment, including prior involvement in the criminal justice system. The Corps training prepares individuals for employment through practical field experience and technical training in environmentally related jobs.
An ordinance was approved to create a forest preserve near Beaubien Woods (25-0359). The ordinance is designed to connect lands which are part of Altgeld Gardens subdivision with Beaubien Woods and access to the Beaubien Woods Boat Launch. Forest Preserves will pay CHA five thousand dollars plus closing cost up to $10,000.00. This land acquisition advances the goals of the Forest Preserve’s Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan.
The Cook County Forest Preserve commissioner’s board will continue to hold its regular meetings in 2026 on Tuesdays at 10am.

Public Speakers:

A couple of public speakers talked about the importance of the Greencorps and its role in changing lives.
Four public speakers advocated for a resolution supporting the Chicago Botanic Garden Workers (25-0377) and their bid to unionize. The speakers talked about safety issues and lack of attention by management. Commissioners supported the resolution.
A few public speakers asked for the Forest Preserves to allow stand up paddle boarding in the forests. It was shared that Lake County, DuPage and McHenry counties all allow paddle boarding in their forest preserves. The stated reason that the CC Forest Preserves do not allow paddle boarding is due to poor water quality and concerns with public health if boarders fall in the water.

Observer: Laura Davis and Marge Pearson

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Hears Update on Brookfield Zoo Next Century Plan

9/20/2025

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, September 9, 2025, 10:00 am Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL

Tony Preckwinkle called the meeting to order, roll was taken with 3 excused absences. A quorum was present. Pledge of Allegiance was said and the Land Acknowledgement was read. Brookfield Zoo was recognized by commissioners Aguilar and Moore. Benjamin Cox from Friends of the Forest Preserve was congratulated on receiving the Chicago Wilderness Forest and Nature Award. General Superintendent of Cook County Forest Preserve, Adam Bianchi gave a welcome statement.

CEO of Brookfield Zoo, Dr. Mike Adkesson, presented highlights and successes from the past year, The Next Century Plan and vision for the future. He discussed complimentary zoo access to military, school groups and low income residents of Cook County through partnerships with the Chicago Public library, Explore Illinois and Museums for All. In the first 3 months of the year they welcomed 31,000 guests through these partnerships (6% of attendance). He also highlighted the Health Wildlife Residency in partnership with University of Illinois, the Land Acknowledgement statement and community gatherings honoring Native Americans and youth programs.

Next Century Plan

Phase 1- Building of the Bramsen Tropical Forest and Natural Habitat which includes 4 outdoor primate habitats and indoor gorilla conservation center. This was their largest project to date, cost $66 million from private funding, was completed in 2 1⁄2 years, on budget and on time. Includes 3 acres of space, forest for animals, conservation stories, sculptures and cell phone drop off. Sculptures were made from wire snares and built by ex-poachers in Uganda and the cell phone drop off will reduce and remind us mineral mining for lithium destroys gorilla habitats in the wild. The Bramsen addition also includes an indoor gorilla conservation space and the King Leadership space. $53 million was also utilized for renovation of the Seven Seas, investment in the temporary Ferris Wheel, North American Prairie Aviary, addition of Koalas, Hamill Family Play Zoo added honey bees and backyard chickens, formal pool area and swamp area were renovated and $2 million was spent on pavement improvements.
Phase 2 - 35 acres will be developed into open savannah habitats for large African species including giraffes, zebra, and elephants. The Pacaderm building to be renovated along with spaces for African lions and hippos.

Dr. Matt Allender from the Department of Conservation Medicine and Science at Brookfield Zoo, gave an update regarding the Illinois Zoological and Wildlife Health Management Residency Program in collaboration with University of Illinois. He noted a nationwide shortage of wildlife veterinarians and was proud of their first resident to finish the program who will stay on in Cook County (Dr. Winter). This was the first program in the nation to train new vets in free ranging wildlife and save area wildlife. Cornell University is now the 2nd program modeled after the
Brookfield Zoo program. A second resident is currently in the program and a 3rd resident will begin in the summer.

Benjamin Cox from Friends of the Forest Preserve gave an update on the Conservation Core which he began in 2007 to introduce young people to the forest preserves and provide service opportunities. There have been 2500 alumni through partnership with the Forest Preserve and other organizations. He thanked the CCFP for supporting this program.

Members of the Conservation through Gardening program, which is a partnership between Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago communities of Englewood and Back of the Yards, thanked the Zoo for introducing the members of these communities to urban gardening. They described how children and residents learn about gardening, cooking with the fresh vegetables they had grown and the joy this brings.

All Committee items were approved including a grant project in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy to improve the ecological health of Powderhorn Lake and Eggers Grove. This includes 94 acres of habitat restoration. The grant was awarded for $225,000.

50 events are planned in the Forest Preserves between now and November. Refer to The Forest Preserve Fall Guide for further information (https://fpdcc.com/events/)

Observer - Linda Bareis

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Cook County Forest Preserves Board Authorize Funds for Advertising and Promotional Services

Cook County FPD Board Meetings

More Community Education Needed from Forest Preserves Regarding Controlled Burns

Cook County Forest Preserve District 2026 Budget Approved

Forest Preserves Grant to Support Greencorps Chicago Conservation Corps

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Hears Update on Brookfield Zoo Next Century Plan

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