Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 12, 2024  (Meeting date changed due to  March 19 Primary Election)

The Cook County Forest Preserve District will increase its land holdings in the southeast area of Cook County. The property is west of state route 394 and north of US 30

• For the sum of $1,410,000.00, plus closing costs up to $10,000.00.  
• The property has natural and fallowed land.
• The acquisition advances the goals of the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, Next Century Conservation Plan, and Acquisition and Disposition of Land Position Paper. 

The Board Approved the  Sale of acres in Ford Heights from Larry A. Paarlberg and Marcia Christine Paarlberg, As Joint Tenants (Owners of Record), 1588 13 th Street, Ford Heights, Cook County, multiple parcels totaling 56 acres. 
The  vote was 15 yea, 1 nay (Sean Morrison) and 1 excused (Gaynor)

Public Speakers:

• Henrietta Saunders- a member of the Conservation and Policy Council –whose goals are “clean air, clean water, and reduced flooding”-- spoke in support of the land acquisition stating that the voters of Cook County overwhelming supported the referendum and favor  increasing park land south of I-80.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie

Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Board of Commissioners Meeting
February, 27, 2024

The Cook County Forest Preserve District will increase its land holdings in the southeast area of Cook County if the proposed purchase is approved. 

• Almost 57 acres will be acquired in Ford Heights, Cook County, for the sum of $1,410,000.00, plus closing costs up to $10,000.00.  
• The property has natural and fallowed land.
• The acquisition advances the goals of the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, Next Century Conservation Plan, and Acquisition and Disposition of Land Position Paper. 
•  The Ford Heights purchase is being sent to committee. 

Cook County Forest Preserve Police can now compete with local police departments due to the money from the referendum.  

• Salaries for FP police have been raised and officers are now being hired and retained.  
• The CCFP is still working on increasing diversity in hiring. 

Observer:   Laura Davis