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

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting July 23, 2024
Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 Chicago Avenue, River Forest, IL.

Board Action:

• A resolution  to authorize the Interim General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County to enter into intergovernmental agreements to assist other government entities in handling the influx of visitors to the city for the Democratic National Convention was introduced. Appropriate compensation for any actions will be arranged with the entities. Authority was granted as one of the primary functions of local government is to maintain public safety. (Agenda Item 24-0328)
• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is requesting authorization for easements at the intersection of 95th Street and Archer Avenue near Willow Springs.  The permanent easement not to exceed 7.462 acres and temporary easement of 1.459 acres is estimated to impact 207 live trees and 54 dead trees, resulting in tree mitigation fees.  The intersection has been identified as a high percentage crash location. The money that IDOT will pay to the Cook County Forest Preserve will likely go to habitat restoration. Tree replacement in the Forest Preserve is now at a 1-1 tree replacement process. It is not known how many of the trees that will be impacted are invasives, such as buckthorn.  (Item 24-0138) ​

Other Items of Interest:

• A member of the Forest Preserve Conservation Corps addressed the commissioners regarding the personal value he experienced in being part of the Conservation Corps.  He plans to study environmental/conservation issues as he moves into college level studies.  
• Several Commissioners shared their own experiences of volunteering in conservation/restoration and how impactful that was for them.
• Commissioner Degnen shared her experience of working in the Peace Corps and stated that every job is a climate job. 

Observer:   Laura Davis 

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
Sand Ridge Nature Center
June 11, 2024

NOTE:  The Commissioners met in the Center’s classroom.  All others – staff and visitors – were directed to the exhibit room across the hall, where a TV Monitor was set up for viewing of the meeting.  However, the number of individuals gathered in that room far exceeded the number of available chairs and benches.  Therefore, those who did not arrive by 9:00 am had to stand for the duration of the meeting.  Many of these staff members (perhaps 2-3 per 17 commissioners) knew each other and talked during the entire meeting. This made it difficult for those who were seated to hear much of what transpired.  There was also an audio issue.  Though there were enough microphones in the classroom, not everyone spoke directly into their mics, so it was impossible to hear all that was said. 

Each of the two committee meetings one at 9:00 (Finance) and one at 9:30 (Land Acquisition) ended within ten minutes, the Commissioners having voted quickly  -- with no discussion --  on several items.
President Preckwinkle called the Board of Commissioners meeting to order promptly at 10:00 am.
Cridell Wells,  Director of Sand Ridge Center, welcomed the group to Sand Ridge and spoke about the many programs that have taken place there in the last year.

Public Speakers:

• A representative from the University of Illinois Extension Service, praised the work of the Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists who have contributed so much to Sand Ridge, particularly in the restoration efforts.
• Dr. Larry McClellan informed the group of the Little Calumet Underground Railroad Project.
• Ryan Nagel of the Policy Council Conservation extolled the work of its youth programs.
• Nancy Joseph, a Sand Ridge Steward who volunteers weekly, stated what a privilege it is to work with the volunteers at Sand Ridge.
•  Four speakers who appeared via video could not be heard or understood very well.

Following the public comments, the Commissioners approved several land acquisition agreements and financial items. 

​Eileen Figel, Interim General Superintendent, presented proposed resolutions for the approval of memorandums of agreement extending the term of collective bargaining agreements between the Forest Preserves and the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130,  the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #14,  the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, and the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Local #73. She also spoke about upcoming programs, particularly in honor of Juneteenth.
The meeting was adjourned and the Commissioners were invited for lunch at the Center’s Campground.

Erin Roeper, Observer

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
May 14, 2024

CCFP scientists presented information on the upcoming “Cicadas Celebration”. Cook County will not see the “double emergence” of the two varieties. The area will only experience the one 17 year Cicada and the first adults were seen yesterday, May 13. They will last through the beginning of July. The CCFP Sound Map Project will be recording the cicada songs.

Diversity Committee Report:
The CCFP exceeded their 2023 set goals. In 2023: 

• 42% of all contracts were awarded to minority and/or women owned businesses
• 52% of contract payments for primary or subcontractors went to minority or women owned businesses
• 15 outreach events took place in 2023 to publicize contract opportunities

The Cook County Forest Preserve District approved the purchase of two properties in the southeast area of Cook County near Sweet Woods close to Homewood and South Holland.

• Property 1; 46.44 acres for $1,520,000
• Property 2; 42.09 acres for $1,680,00
• Totals: 88.53 acres for $3,200,000
• Purchase will increase the CCFP to a total of 69,893 acres
• The properties were agricultural and unincorporated
• The acquisition advances the goals of the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, Next Century Conservation Plan, and Acquisition and Disposition of Land Position Paper. 

Public Speakers:

• Cheryl Thomas, Chair of the Brookfield Zoo Board and others spoke of the $10M restoration of the Bottlenose Dolphin 7 Seasons pool. During the 15 months of restoration the dolphins were transported to Minnesota where they continued to be cared for by Brookfield Zoo staff. The dolphins have now returned safely to their new home at the Zoo.

​Observer: Deborah Halpern

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
April 16, 2024

A key goal set forward in the Forest Preserve Next Century Conservation Plan is to dedicate and register 20,000 acres with the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act. Through this act, the highest level of protection is provided for land in Illinois and is granted to areas of important ecological or cultural significance. 

• A proposed addition to the existing 446 acre Busse Forest Nature Preserve in Elk Grove Village  would add 508 additional acres.
• The site is considered high-quality remnant mesic upland forest, dry-mesic woodland, northern flatwoods, and freshwater marsh. The topography fosters communities to support immense biological diversity, including over 275 species of native plants.  
• Forest Preserves has 27 dedicated Nature Preserves and the proposed expansion of Busse Forest Nature Preserve would bring the total IL Natural Preservation protected lands to approximately 11,739 acres.

Two parcels have been identified in Lynwood (Sweet Woods), near Ford Heights and Sauk Village, to be purchased. The total property would add approximately 46.44 acres to Forest Preserve land. Request was referred to committee.

Commissioner Degnen proposed a resolution declaring a climate emergency. She specifically asked for the elimination of single use plastic and stated that 22 million pounds of plastic waste enters the Great Lakes every year. Her goal is an ordinance eliminating single use plastic.  

Observers:   Laura Davis and Sabine Scholz