Cook County Voters Pass Tax Hike for the Forest Preserves

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
November 15, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.

President Toni Preckwinkle thanked everyone for their hard work in the passage of the referendum approving a tax hike. The referendum won with a 68% approval, and will be about 40M a year in extra funds for the Cook County Forest Preserve. 

The Board approved:

• The Board approved a contract amendment with the Friends of the Forest Preserve to extend and increase their contract with the Career Immersion Program in the amount of $1,050,000. The Chief Financial Officer had also approved this item. (22-0425)
• The Board passed an ordinance to add to Forest Preserve land near Orland Grassland at location 9700 W 167th Street, Orland Park. (22-0479)

Other items of interest:

• The Board thanked Commissioners Larry Suffredin, Deborah Sims, Peter N. Silvestri, and Luis Arroyo for their work and dedication to the Forest Preserve. This was their last meeting on the Board.
• The Forest Preserve’s calendar of events can be found at https://fpdcc.com/events/ The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe has just started their light-filled holiday installations. National Take a Hike Day is on 11/17, and Country Lane Woods, Willow Springs is hosting a 5-mile hike with a naturalist at 1 p.m. Registration required. 

Observer: Amber L Elmer