Cook County FPD Board Approves Bargaining Agreement

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
December 12,  2023

Labor
Approved the collective bargaining agreement between the  FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND TEAMSTERS, LOCAL 700 extending term of agreement to December 31, 2025 with 2 cost of living adjustments.  Effective the first full payroll period on or after January 1, 2022, the pay rates for all job classifications shall be increased by 3.5%;  Effective the first full payroll period on or after July 1, 2025, the pay rates for all job classifications shall be increased by 5%. 

Legislation
The Forest Preserve will continue collaboration with The Prairie Research Institute through 2028. The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) comprises five (5) state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. This agreement enables the Forest Preserves to consult with and engage the technical expertise of each of these scientific institutions, based on annual tasks assigned by the Forest Preserves.
Since 2014, the Forest Preserves has partnered with the PRI for the purpose of developing a Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan, a landmark document that has helped guide the allocation of resources and informed strategies to pursue and meet the ambitious goals set forth in the Forest Preserves’ Next Century Conservation Plan. A number of milestone projects have been achieved pursuant to implementation of the plan, including comprehensive field assessments of natural and archaeological resources within the preserves, the subsequent prioritization of Forest Preserves lands for restoration, development of a seed sourcing policy, and the development of standardized protocols for long-term assessment of conservation success.  Agreement Period: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2028, with one (1) five-year extension option to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent Fiscal Impact: Not to exceed $300,000.00 per calendar year and a total of $3,000,000.00 including any optional extensions.

Honored  

• GERALD (Jerry) W. ADELMANN ON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, as President and CEO of Openlands, has dedicated his career to advancing the mission of protecting natural and open spaces to ensure cleaner air and water, safeguard natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich the lives of the people in our region, Jerry joined Openlands in 1980 to coordinate a special program that led to the creation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, the first federal land designation of its kind. 
• NANCY JOSEPH received the Outstanding Citizen Volunteer Award for her service as a Site Steward at Sand Ridge Nature Center in south Cook County where she has been volunteering since 2013, dedicating over 1,700 hours of service to the Forest Preserves in the past decade
• The Forest Preserves of Cook County, Chicago Zoological Society, and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine were honored with a Best of the Best Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts during its annual gala, receiving the Partnership Award for the Illinois Zoological and Wildlife Health Management Residency Program which focuses on the health of wild animal populations in urban and suburban settings. The program is the nation’s first wildlife residency program that meets the rigorous standards of the American College of Zoological Medicine and supports a new level of specialty care and professional veterinary medical services that are focused on establishing a baseline of wildlife health.
  

Law Enforcement
Model Policing Report for July 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023  on the status to achieve the goal of a Model Forest Preserves Police Department.  Historically the problem was with retention, but now with more money the salaries are competitive with suburban departments.  No one has left except to retire.  Also,  they feel that they are doing better with their relationship with communities of color. 

Reappointment
Laurel Ross, Henrietta Saunders, Mark Templeton as Council Members to The Conservation and Policy Council that advises the President, Board of Commissioners, and General Superintendent and develops and annually updates  the strategic plan.  Effective date: 1/1/2024 Expiration date: 12/31/2026. 

​Proposed Resolution 
$10 million grant to help improve trails at Swallow Clift and Palos Trails to address these issues: 1) Recurring erosion, 2) Wayfinding and 3) Safety and signage. 1100 acres in restoration. 22% of all Forest Preserve trails are at this site.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie