Outgoing Forest Preserve Superintendent Arnold Randall Praised by the Board of Commissioners

Cook County Forest Preserves District Meeting
January 23, 2024

Several times during the January 23rd meeting of the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Board of Commissioners as well as other individuals praised the work of Superintendent Arnold Randall during his 13 years of service to the Cook County Forest Preserves.

• The recent acquisition of additional land for the Spring Lake area
• Capitol Development Improvements and Ecological Restoration projects
• Major acquisitions in SE Cook
• Positive results from a survey of 1200 (?) people who visited the forest preserves in 2023 – and an increase in improvement over 2022.
• Henrietta Saunders spoke on behalf of the Conservation and Policy Council
• Ben Helphan, Executive Director of Neighbor Space, expressed his appreciation for the support his organization has received from Supt. Randall for protected gardens 
• Three Boy Scout leaders presented Randall with a plaque of appreciation

After each commissioner conveyed his/her gratitude and well wishes to Supt. Randall, President Preckwinkle added her personal appreciation.  Supt. Randall then offered comments on his tenure as superintendent, including the statement that it’s the best job he’s ever had.  

Other items of interest:

• Eileen Figel was appointed Interim General Superintendent
• Authorization was approved for the Forest Preserves to enter into supplemental local public agency agreement for design of the Des Plaines trail bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad north of Golf Road
• The Forest Preserves has been awarded federal grant funds from the U.S. and Wildlife Service in support of habitat restoration activities in Bemis Woods.
• Several authorizations were approved for amendment and/or extending existing intergovernmental agreements.
• Supt. Randall highlighted several winter events and activities from 1/23/24 – 2/27/24 throughout the preserves.

Observer:  Erin Roeper