CCFPD Board Meeting Held at Camp Sullivan

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Committee Meetings:
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest, IL

​Seven committees, including Litigation, Legislation, Rules, Finance, Workers Compensation, Zoological, and Real Estate all met.  After attendance was taken for each committee meeting, all resolutions that were submitted were accepted unanimously without any discussion.  All recommendations were passed in the Board Meeting that followed immediately after.

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting
Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest, IL

Tony Preckwinkle called the meeting to order, roll was taken with a quorum of 15 present (Gainer and Moore were absent), the Pledge said, and The Land Acknowledgment was read.

​Board Actions:

•  Commissioner Miller, of the sixth District, welcomed visitors to Camp Sullivan and gave a brief history of the area.  Camp Sullivan makes up one third of the total acreage of the CCFP and is one of their five camp grounds. Unique features include an antique barn and a climbing wall. It is a great place to host events and has an incredibly rich history with many connections to the Underground Railroad.
• The Conservation and Policy Council report was given by Dr. Ryan Niegle from Moraine Valley Community College.  He stated support for the resolutions before the Board on the Des Plaines River Trail contract and the contract for four zero emissions refuse trucks.  The trucks will be financed in part with a grant from the EPA.  In collaboration, IDOT will make ambitious improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail including the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks in Des Plaines that will significantly improve safety and user experience. 
• Adam D. Bianchi was unanimously, with no discussion, approved to serve as the general superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.  If interested in his resume go to: https://fpdcc.com/adam-bianchi-nominated-as-forest-preserves-of-cook-county-general- 
• A resolution authorizing a joint funding agreement and engineering services agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation for the Des Plaines River Trail reconstruction and an agreement to relocate utilities and pay utility relocation and other miscellaneous cost related to the bike and pedestrian bridge construction passed unanimously with no discussion. 
• Also passed unanimously, with no discussion, were proposals to enter into contracts to purchase 4 electronic load master refuse trucks, 14 Ford F series vehicles, 8 Ford Explorer Hybrid Police utility vehicles. Other contract included organic grow crop farming, keyless entry systems for off leash dog areas, petroleum services for fuel stations, heating and cooling improvements at River Forest, and various bridge repairs.
• Commissioner Kevin Morrison moved and it was passed without discussion that the proposed interagency agreement amendment with the Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield IL for maintenance and operation of the Zoological Park on lands in the forest reserves be extended and declared the forest reserves of Cook County’s support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 
• Lastly, a motion was made to honor Eileen Figel.  She has served as Interim General Superintendent since January 2024 and was the Deputy General Superintendent since July 2014. Each commissioner took a turn in giving anecdotes that illustrated her contributions and leadership in all areas of forest preserve operations. She was praised for her commitment to infrastructure, programming, staff development, and creation of a culture based on equity and inclusion. Her leadership and tireless advocacy contributed to voters’ approval of a tax referendum. She guided the staff through challenging situations and it was clear that she was respected and loved by all. A huge cake was brought before the commissioners and everyone was invited downstairs for lunch and a slice of cake.

Observer: Janis Westlund