Cook County Forest Preserve District Board is Looking Forward to an Exciting New Year as a Result of the New Tax Dollars

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
October 17, 2023            

Board Action:

• New proposed CCFP budget to be $189 million over last year’s budget for a 4% increase
• Based on the property tax referendum that passed the CCFP received approximately $41 million dollars over the past year
• Funds were used to restore trails, acquire more land and broaden outreach to communities of color

Plans for 2024 include:

• Increased security with greater law enforcement presence and additional volunteer training
• Increased focus on programming in Spanish and introducing Polish language programming
• Restoration of 400 acres of woodlands and floodplains in the south suburbs
• Making the CCFP a more equitable place to work
• Deepen partnerships with Indigenous American communities
• Hiring an additional 58 employees for a total of over 720, primarily fulltime
• Consideration of adding a bike rental program and opportunities for local small businesses to have concession stands
• Finally, to contribute $12.4 million toward pension payments unlike previous years when there was usually a shortage for pensions

Watch for in the future:

• There are currently 35 public programs scheduled throughout the CCFP between now and November 13
• Public hearing on CCFP budget proposal on Thursday, October 26 at 10a in the Board Room at 118 N Clark
• Vote on final budget set for November

Observer: Deborah Halpern