Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports

Cook County Forest Preserves Earns Two Awards

6/11/2026

Cook County Forest Preserver District Board of Commissioners Meeting
June 9, 2026

Public Speakers:
There were two public speakers from a Remote Control Club who spoke about the club and some recent issues where members of the club were issued warning tickets. Club members take small remote cars, about 10 pounds in weight that move about 8 miles an hour, over obstacles in the Forest Preserves. The club has been in existence since 2019 and “crawl” their cars in the Forest Preserves with no problem before this. They asked for guidance of where and what is allowed in order to pursue their hobby.
Board Action:

Conservation and Policy Council Annual Progress Report: 1/1/2025 -12/31/2025 Daisy Flight from the Conservation and Policy Council spoke about the annual progress report on the implementation of the Next Century Conservation Plan (NCCP). The report describes updates on progress as related to restoration, land acquisition, and engaging people. She also shared information on the successful May 30 event at the Little Red Schoolhouse where 350 people attended. The Forest Preserve collaborated with Adaptive Adventures in order for people with disabilities to engage in the Forest. Over the summer, the Forest Preserves is offering many accessible programs and outdoor recreation activities for people with disabilities. Agenda Item #26-0267 - Approved
General Superintendent Bianchi reported that the Forest Preserves won a couple of awards. The National Association of County Park and Recreation officials awarded the Forest Preserves with the Chicago Botanic Gardens a conservation award for the seed amplification program and honors were given to Sue Gorr and Anne Stake (long-term stewards at Deer Grove East in Palatine) for their service. Also, the National Recreation in Park Associations gave the CC Forest Preserve the Innovation Environmental Resilience award for the seed amplification program. These efforts help to increase restoration efforts from the 18,000 acres to the 30,000 acre goal.
Superintendent Bianchi shared that a Resource Management career immersion internship program will be re-introduced as part of the Conservation Corps. This internship is in partnership with private industries and offers real world experiences with the hope of turning participants into employees of the Forest Preserves or the ability to move on to other conservation groups.
Proposed Partnership agreement amendment: This amendment allows a shared veterinary technician position with the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS), which operates Brookfield Zoo Chicago, to support wildlife in the field. The technician position will be recruited and hired by CZS to assist Forest Preserves wildlife biologists and provide field veterinary support, lab diagnostics, and research coordination associated with the ongoing veterinary residency and PhD programs. In the past this position was managed in the Forest Preserves through grants. The position will be staffed by CZS at a cost to the Forest Preserves of $45,000 annually or not to exceed $135,000 over the remaining term of the agreement. Agenda Item #26-0287 Approved

Observer: Laura Davis

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Cook County FPD Board Honors Maintenance Employees

5/10/2026

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
May 5, 2026

The commissioners honored the 1,600 annual employees that perform maintenance of the Forest Preserve Districts 70,000 acres.

Mark Templeton, chair of the Conservation and Policy Committee, presented the following statistics:

2.2 million individuals participated in on site programs
94% increase in community partnerships and collaborative programs from 501 in 2024 to >1000 in 2025
18,000 acres in active restoration
95,000 volunteer hours representing a conservative estimate of $3.3 million in labor costs

Proposals for members of conservation and policy council include:

Term limits to maximize input from many local experts
Members need to attend at least 1 commission’s meeting annually
Spend time in forest preserves
Recommendations for disclosures and reclusions

Other Board Action:

5 acres are to be added to Orland Grasslands with the purchase of land commonly referred to as 9750 167th street, Orland Hills. The land includes parts of Marley creek and wetlands. The cost is up to $610,000
The intergovernmental agreement with Barrington Hills Park District was extended for 5 years with options 3 additional 5 year renewals. BHPD has been maintaining the trails and equestrian event facilities at Spring Lake Preserve since July 11, 2006.
Nicor Gas Co. was granted license to locate, operate and maintain approximately 754 feet of existing gas main along the east side of Rand Road. This is required due to rebuilding of Rand Road by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The upcoming proposed calendar of events will focus on migratory birds and recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander’s month. There will also be an event focusing accessibility to nature at Little Red School House on May 30th.

Observer - Margaret Pearson

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Cook County Forest Preserves Budget Currently Shows Revenues Exceed Expenses by $2.4 million.

5/10/2026

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
April 14, 2026

Board Action:

Budgets were approved for the planning and development for the Sandridge Nature Center. Work will begin soon and will be completed within a year. Improvements will be made to the kitchen and upgrade the main entrance for accessibility.
The Commissioners celebrated and honored the career of retiring Theresa Odom, the Cook County Forest Preserves Chief Police. Theresa Odum was sworn in as a Patrol Officer for the Chicago Police Department and over the next 26 years moved up the ranks from Patrol Officer to Sergeant. In 2021 Odom was appointed to the position of Chief of Police and responsible for a staff of over 120 members of all ranks for sworn and civilian employees, including President Preckwinkle’s Security Detail. Many of the commissioners spoke about her leadership and photos were taken.
Recognition of Earth Day on April 22 and discussion followed about all of the many activities planned for all ages this month in honor of Earth Day. Activities are planned for almost all of the CCFPs.
April is National Volunteer Month and the commissioners honored the volunteers and ambassadors at Brookfield Zoo for 54 years of service.
Authorization was approved for the CCFP to amend its Partnership Agreement with the Chicago Horticultural Society in Glencoe to increase the spending authority under its Partnership Agreement with the Chicago Horticultural Society, which operates the Chicago Botanic Garden. This was needed in order to staff native plant Nursery Manager and Nursery Technician positions through the Garden for an additional year of financial support (not to exceed $191,360) to ensure continuity in nursery operations during peak growing season.

Superintendent Adam Bianchi made the following comments in his report:

2025 recorded 78K service hours from volunteers
Spring is the burning season - 14 days of it.
This month is the opening day of inland trout fishing.
Working on floating island habitats.
Chicago conservation leadership corp - provides paid internships and the response has been overwhelming, many more applicants than positions. They hope to expand it.

Observer - Deborah Halpern

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Chicago Botanic Garden CEO Announces Retirement

3/20/2026

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 10, 2026

Board Business and Action:

Jean M. Franczyk, who led the Chicago Botanic Garden since 2016, retired as of 3/13/26. Also retired last December, Irene Flebbe, former naturalist at Trailside Museum of Natural History after 32 years of service to the Forest Preserves.
The FP accepted a grant of $709,500 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ("DCEO") for Conservation Corps programming for the period of 1/1/2026 (retroactive) to 6/30/2027.
The board agreed to purchase 2 properties: 324 Sutton Road #A, Barrington Hills ~ 5 acres for $520,000 (plus closing costs) and 59 W. Schaumburg Road, Streamwood and 253 Sutton Road, Unincorporated Hanover Township of ~ 28 acres for $5,650,000.
The commissioners also approved ordinances to create a forest preserve near Spring Lake and another near Polar Creek Land and Water Reserve.
As part of the superintendent’s reports, Adam Bianchi presented the 2025 Concessions Annual Report. Since approving an ordinance in 2022 the FP wanted to increase and improve visitor engagement by providing the public with access to concessions, opportunities for recreational activities, amenities and services while also generating revenue to support the mission of the Forest Preserve. Juiced by Shic, a concession provider at the Swallow Cliff facility near Palos Park, received recognition during the meeting. Due to their strong performance, their contract has been extended until 2028. During the comment period a woman representing Juiced by Shic thanked the commissioners for their continued support.
The annual report of the Resident Watchman was given; it provides names, job titles, and salaries of employees who occupied property in addition to other program information for fiscal year 2025. The district currently maintains 35 Resident Watchman residences. There are currently seven vacancies, which are anticipated to be filled before the year concludes. The district did not add or remove any properties from the program in 2025.

Observer - Valerie Krejcie

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

2/4/2026

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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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Cook County Forest Preserves Earns Two Awards

Cook County FPD Board Honors Maintenance Employees

Cook County Forest Preserves Budget Currently Shows Revenues Exceed Expenses by $2.4 million.

Chicago Botanic Garden CEO Announces Retirement

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

Cook County FPD Board Meetings

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