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Cook County FPD Board Honors Maintenance Employees

5/10/2026

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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Cook County FPD Board Honors Maintenance Employees

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

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