Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Committee Meetings:
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest, IL

​Seven committees, including Litigation, Legislation, Rules, Finance, Workers Compensation, Zoological, and Real Estate all met.  After attendance was taken for each committee meeting, all resolutions that were submitted were accepted unanimously without any discussion.  All recommendations were passed in the Board Meeting that followed immediately after.

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting
Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest, IL

Tony Preckwinkle called the meeting to order, roll was taken with a quorum of 15 present (Gainer and Moore were absent), the Pledge said, and The Land Acknowledgment was read.

​Board Actions:

•  Commissioner Miller, of the sixth District, welcomed visitors to Camp Sullivan and gave a brief history of the area.  Camp Sullivan makes up one third of the total acreage of the CCFP and is one of their five camp grounds. Unique features include an antique barn and a climbing wall. It is a great place to host events and has an incredibly rich history with many connections to the Underground Railroad.
• The Conservation and Policy Council report was given by Dr. Ryan Niegle from Moraine Valley Community College.  He stated support for the resolutions before the Board on the Des Plaines River Trail contract and the contract for four zero emissions refuse trucks.  The trucks will be financed in part with a grant from the EPA.  In collaboration, IDOT will make ambitious improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail including the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks in Des Plaines that will significantly improve safety and user experience. 
• Adam D. Bianchi was unanimously, with no discussion, approved to serve as the general superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.  If interested in his resume go to: https://fpdcc.com/adam-bianchi-nominated-as-forest-preserves-of-cook-county-general- 
• A resolution authorizing a joint funding agreement and engineering services agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation for the Des Plaines River Trail reconstruction and an agreement to relocate utilities and pay utility relocation and other miscellaneous cost related to the bike and pedestrian bridge construction passed unanimously with no discussion. 
• Also passed unanimously, with no discussion, were proposals to enter into contracts to purchase 4 electronic load master refuse trucks, 14 Ford F series vehicles, 8 Ford Explorer Hybrid Police utility vehicles. Other contract included organic grow crop farming, keyless entry systems for off leash dog areas, petroleum services for fuel stations, heating and cooling improvements at River Forest, and various bridge repairs.
• Commissioner Kevin Morrison moved and it was passed without discussion that the proposed interagency agreement amendment with the Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield IL for maintenance and operation of the Zoological Park on lands in the forest reserves be extended and declared the forest reserves of Cook County’s support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 
• Lastly, a motion was made to honor Eileen Figel.  She has served as Interim General Superintendent since January 2024 and was the Deputy General Superintendent since July 2014. Each commissioner took a turn in giving anecdotes that illustrated her contributions and leadership in all areas of forest preserve operations. She was praised for her commitment to infrastructure, programming, staff development, and creation of a culture based on equity and inclusion. Her leadership and tireless advocacy contributed to voters’ approval of a tax referendum. She guided the staff through challenging situations and it was clear that she was respected and loved by all. A huge cake was brought before the commissioners and everyone was invited downstairs for lunch and a slice of cake.

Observer: Janis Westlund

Cook County Forest Preserve (CCFP)
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Notes from the Commissioners’ meeting include:

• The Finance Committee stated that in this year’s annual report it will show  CCFP costs for fuel were down and cost for electricity were up as a result of improving sustainability efforts throughout the CCFP toward clean energy which includes more electric vehicles to lower their carbon footprint.
  
• The Real Estate Committee announced the creation of a new 37 acre Forest Preserve near Sweet Woods in southeast Cook County in the 5th District. 
  
• The annual Diversity Report for the CCFP showed that 61% of contracts were awarded to minority/women run businesses. There were also 19 outreach programs conducted to assist vendors in applying to the Forest Preserves.
  
• Commissioner McCaskill came to talk with this Observer about how much she appreciates the work of the League of Women Voters and then went on to talk about the 11 new all terrain wheelchairs now available at two different CCFP locations and efforts to increase the accessibility of the Forest Preserves for those with disabilities. There is also water accessibility recently built at the Beaubien Woods. 
  
• The Shedd Aquarium was recognized for their outstanding support of the CCFP over the past 10 years in the areas of restoration and protection of the land and waterways and animals throughout the Forest Preserves. Lisa Dunkau Lopez and others from the Shedd were recognized at the meeting. Ms. Lopez discussed how the partnership with the Shedd includes research, restoration of 21 monitored wetlands including the Skokie Lagoons. As well as teaching over 600 volunteers including highschool students on restoration methods.
  
• Finally, the Busse Forest nature Preserve added an expansion of 767 acres in northwest Cook County.

Observer - Deborah Halpern

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
May 6, 2025 at the Botanic Garden

​Items of Interest:

• The Commissioners approved the purchase of 37.04 Acres at 20278 Cottage Grove Ave, Glenwood, to create a Forest preserve near Sweet Woods, with closing costs of $2,970,000.00.
• The Botanic Garden and the Zoo get capital Improvement monies from the Referendum.  The Botanic Garden is growing and providing seed and plugs for restoration sites.
• The Report of the Finance committee meeting showed that in Corporate Fund analysis, Non-tax revenue was up $33.5M and expenditures were down.  
• The Real Estate Committee agreement was approved by the Commissioners with New Trier High School for access drive and underground sewer line (total .23 Acres) In exchange for payment of license fees and use of School District parking for Forest Preserves patrons and permittees.
• In the Public Testimony time, Kevin Allen Ake from the Elk Grove Historical Association used his 3 minutes to request that they could get permission to place cameras at the Elk Pasture so that people can see the Elk, to educate the people, as the Elk mostly hide in the woods.  The Association has the monies.  Just need permission.  President Preckwinkle referred that to staff to contact Mr Ake.  

​Observer - Barbara Palmer

Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC)
Board of Commissioners Meeting 
March 11, 2025

The Board approved purchase of 2 parcels of land (around 74 acres) near the Paul Douglas Preserve in South Barrington for $3,5000,000.00 plus closing costs. The land acquisition advances the goals of the FPDCC Next Century Conservation Plan.

The Board authorized a partnership agreement with Audubon Great Lakes, Chicago Illinois to receive a $238,494.24 grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chi-Cal River Program to support a second phase of restoration, outreach and engagement at Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh Nature Preserve and Powderhorn North Forest Preserve in southeast Cook County. 

The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to expand Conservation Corps programming with a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the   amount of  $344,345.00 to run through 6/30/2027 which will support the recruitment, hiring, and employment of at least forty-five (45) additional participants of the Forest Preserves’ Forest Preserve Experience, Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps, and Audubon Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Internship programs.

The Board approved a request to partner with the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (“CAMBr”), Bartlett, Illinois that authorizes the Forest Preserves to continue a twenty plus (20+) year partnership with CAMBr to clear, manage and maintain multi-use natural surface single track trails in the Palos and Paul Douglas preserves, and other approved areas to be used generally by cyclists.

During public comments Henrietta Saunders, a member of the Conservation and Policy Council, voiced her support for The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ grant award to support the Conservation Corps, the proposed acquisition of an additional 74 acres near the Paul Douglas Preserve in South Barrington and FP sponsorship of the biennial Wild Things Conference held March 1.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie