Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC)
Board of Commissioners Meeting 
March 11, 2025

The Board approved purchase of 2 parcels of land (around 74 acres) near the Paul Douglas Preserve in South Barrington for $3,5000,000.00 plus closing costs. The land acquisition advances the goals of the FPDCC Next Century Conservation Plan.

The Board authorized a partnership agreement with Audubon Great Lakes, Chicago Illinois to receive a $238,494.24 grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chi-Cal River Program to support a second phase of restoration, outreach and engagement at Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh Nature Preserve and Powderhorn North Forest Preserve in southeast Cook County. 

The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to expand Conservation Corps programming with a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the   amount of  $344,345.00 to run through 6/30/2027 which will support the recruitment, hiring, and employment of at least forty-five (45) additional participants of the Forest Preserves’ Forest Preserve Experience, Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps, and Audubon Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Internship programs.

The Board approved a request to partner with the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (“CAMBr”), Bartlett, Illinois that authorizes the Forest Preserves to continue a twenty plus (20+) year partnership with CAMBr to clear, manage and maintain multi-use natural surface single track trails in the Palos and Paul Douglas preserves, and other approved areas to be used generally by cyclists.

During public comments Henrietta Saunders, a member of the Conservation and Policy Council, voiced her support for The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ grant award to support the Conservation Corps, the proposed acquisition of an additional 74 acres near the Paul Douglas Preserve in South Barrington and FP sponsorship of the biennial Wild Things Conference held March 1.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting 
​December 17, 2024

The Board received the report on the annual update of capital improvement projects and funding needs for the next five (5) years (2025-2029). Capital improvement needs were identified by Forest Preserves’ staff, partner organizations, and members of the public. Requests for new or improved facilities, amenities, and infrastructure were submitted at the Capital Improvement Plan webpage on the Forest Preserves website. The draft report and appendix can be downloaded from the Forest Preserves’ Capital Improvement Plan webpage via the Forest Preserves website HERE.. 
The final report  will be posted in January 2025. 
The $286 million (five -year plan)  includes $55 million in projected spending for 2025 primarily for rehabilitation and renewal of existing trails and facilities including:

• Enhancements to the Des Plaines River Trail from the new Lawrence Avenue bridge south to Schiller Woods.
• Des Plaines River canoe and kayak access at Maywood Grove.
• Repaving of the popular 2.7-mile Midlothian Meadow loop trail.
• Structural repairs of limestone shelters at Harms Woods.
• Restroom renovation at Busse Woods and Dan Ryan Woods.
• New restroom facilities at Beaubien Woods Boat Launch.
• Building improvements at McGinnis Fisheries field station.
• Bridge repairs at Chick Evans and Edgebrook Golf Courses.
• New trailhead and wayfinding signs at various trailhead locations. 

Other Board Action:

​Sustainable Purchasing  (Repeal of outdated recycling ordinance)  Approved a Recycled Product Procurement Policy that replaces an outdated recycling ordinance. Included are definitions, designated products, purchasing requirements, rules, and exemptions. Effective: January 1, 2025.

Amended Contract between Dept of Planning and Development with the Glencoe Golf Course, Village of Glencoe. Agreement relating to the use of 66 acres of  Forest Preserves property for public golf course purposes, including construction of a new clubhouse building complex, by GGC and/or the Village Contract Period Extended from June 15, 2037, to June 14, 2049. As amended the previously agreed upon clubhouse complex boundary might be slightly modified upon completion of a survey and will include a stormwater retention system. The new clubhouse will focus on sustainability features. 

Retirements: MICHELLE GAGE Director of Human Resources for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (14 years of service),  CATHY GERAGHTY (25 years) Director of External and Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the General Superintendent,  DELIO CALZOLARI Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs from July 2017 

Observer: Valerie Krejcie

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
November 19, 2024

This was a special day for the CCFP Commissioners Meeting. With the approval of the purchase of real estate located at Glenwood Dryer and Ridge Road, in unincorporated Cook County the CCFP officially passed 70,000 acres of land under CCFP management. This has been a goal for over a decade. Upon passing the proposed purchase the entire room broke out in applause. 

Additionally, the Commissioners passed 3 proposed ordinance amendments focused on land use. In keeping with the CCFP’s mission 80% of all CCFP land must be kept in its natural state where only 20% of land can be developed which includes any construction such as walking paths, buildings, etc. Currently 83% of the land is in its natural state. This ordinance has been a collaborative work with many advocacy groups with the commissioners and their staff over the past 4 years. Read into the official minutes was the fact that the League of Women Voters of Cook County (LWVCC) submitted a letter on behalf of this ordinance (see below). Both commissioners and several representatives of the advocacy groups sought out the LWVCC observer to thank us for our participation.

Other Board Action:

• Announced: There will be additional work in the Beaubien Woods FP to improve the Underground Railroad paths and information in addition to improvements to the boat launch.
• Announced: There is a noticeable improvement in the Forest Preserves since the passage of no single use plastics. 
• CCFP 2025 Budget was passed. According to President Preckwinkle the financial strength of the CCFP is strong. The pension fund is fully funded, there are more acres under restoration than ever before, there is an acceleration of improving infrastructure and a greater access to nature with a specific focus on equity and inclusion. 
• Reappointments to the Conservation and Policy Council: Alan Bell and Jaqueline Samuel.

Letter from LWVCC to FPD Commissioners in support of Land Use Policy
November 17, 2024
​To the President and Board of Directors of the Forest Preserves District of Cook County
            Re:  Land Use, Items 24-0311, 24-0313, and 24-0314
Dear President Preckwinkle and Commissioners:
The League of Women Voters of Cook County supports the updated Land Use Policy put forth by the Conservation and Policy Council as detailed in the 3 items on the agenda for the November 19, 2024 meeting of the Real Estate Committee (24-0311, 24-0313, and 24-0314). We urge the Committee members and then the Board to approve these items.  The updated policy will strengthen the Cook County Forest Preserves in its mission of protecting and restoring land in accordance with the Next Century Conservation Plan.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Schilsky, President and
Laura Davis, Forest Preserves Interest Group team leader
cc:  Eileen Figel, Interim General Superintendent

Observer -: Deborah Halpern

Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC)
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Sept. 17, 2024

Board Action:

• Contracts, contract extensions, resolutions, and agreements were accepted by FPDCC with motions made by Com. Lowry and seconded by Com Britton. 
• One was a resolution to accept additional $300,000 from IDNR Museum Capital ‘grant Program begun in 2021 to address unexpected higher costs (24-0372) at Crabtree Nature Center. This was at no cost to FPD.  Another was an IGA on improvement of 10 miles of trails along Des Plaines River (24-0375) that includes working with several municipalities.
• Agreement to add 19 EV chargers (24-0366) for FPD vehicles. An equipment purchase of $321,000 for 15 Cronkhite Trailers which accommodate specialized machinery and needs of resource management crews (24-0368). 
• ​Two reports by County Auditor Modelski (24-0399 & 24-0400) were referred to Audit Committee without discussion.    

Meeting Length: 15 min

Law Enforcement Committee of the Forest Preserve District

• Report on status of FPD Police Dept. toward its Model Policing goals was presented to the Law Enforcement Committee (24-0203) by Deputy Chief of Police Martin Hasler. He explained FPD police mission statement includes preserving and protecting nature, provide training, treating every visitor with respect. Updated policies from the strategic initiatives get attention 1 day/week for training coordination and recruitment initiatives. Hasler stated the department is almost fully staffed at the commander level, needing 2 more. 4 sergeants have been added.
• There are 72 officers, 20 more are still needed.
• Com. Britton stated that members need to remember that officers are also forest rangers.
• An in-vehicle reporting system is being implemented (Mobile Data Terminal). Coordination with local police departments and Sherriff’s Dept. continues. 
• Expanding recruitment efforts continue. Com. Daley stated that job fairs held by commissioners could be options for recruitment efforts. 
• Daley also asked for information about the successes of contracts awarded. 

Meeting Length: 14 Min.

Also of note:

• Thursday, September 19, 2024, 9:55 AM there was a Special Board Meeting to Concur with Committee Items Requiring Board Action. Pres. Preckwinkle explained that this was necessary to provide adequate time for commissioners to review this agenda issued 9/16/24.
• There were no public speakers for the FPDCC meeting.
• Eileen Figel continues as Acting General Superintendent. 

​Observer:  Carolyn Cosentino