Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
May 6, 2025 at the Botanic Garden

​Items of Interest:

• The Commissioners approved the purchase of 37.04 Acres at 20278 Cottage Grove Ave, Glenwood, to create a Forest preserve near Sweet Woods, with closing costs of $2,970,000.00.
• The Botanic Garden and the Zoo get capital Improvement monies from the Referendum.  The Botanic Garden is growing and providing seed and plugs for restoration sites.
• The Report of the Finance committee meeting showed that in Corporate Fund analysis, Non-tax revenue was up $33.5M and expenditures were down.  
• The Real Estate Committee agreement was approved by the Commissioners with New Trier High School for access drive and underground sewer line (total .23 Acres) In exchange for payment of license fees and use of School District parking for Forest Preserves patrons and permittees.
• In the Public Testimony time, Kevin Allen Ake from the Elk Grove Historical Association used his 3 minutes to request that they could get permission to place cameras at the Elk Pasture so that people can see the Elk, to educate the people, as the Elk mostly hide in the woods.  The Association has the monies.  Just need permission.  President Preckwinkle referred that to staff to contact Mr Ake.  

​Observer - Barbara Palmer

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

Forest Preserve District Of Cook County Board of Commissioners
2024 Budget Hearing
Oct. 26, 2023

The Forest Preserve District Budget Request for all funds for FY 2024 is $188.7M - an increase of $6.6 M or 3.6% from FY 2023. The Corporate Budget Request which funds the day-to-day operations of the FPDCC, is $87.3M, which is an increase of $12.1 M from 2023. Gen Supt. Randall stated the budget became possible on Nov. 8, 2023, because the tax levy passed, providing a substantial increase in funding. Questions from Commissioners spanned Renewal Energy Credits, contracts for hay mowing, MWBE contracts, bike rental, and coping with suicide in the forest preserve. Progress in expanding educational opportunities and widening access for all were common themes in reports from FPDCC, Brookfield Zoo, and Chicago Botanic Garden.

Some highlights include:

• The FPDCC will allocate $12.4M in 2024 to fund its pension allowing it to meet actuarial recommendations to ensure the FP Fund remains solvent.  In 2023 the Illinois State Legislature passed legislation allowing the FPD to increase the amount paid into the pension fund yearly. Those changes and the additional monies from the referendum has put the fund on a sustainable path to meet its obligations.
• Randall stated that priorities for FPD are continuing to restore protected land to ecological health, acquire and protect more land, and making the forest preserves inviting and accessible to all. He emphasized that in planning, measured growth and working within a responsible fiscal framework are important.
• A Capital Development and Restoration Committee has been formed with Com. Miller serving as Chair. 15,000 acres are being restored, 1400 acres of new restoration work is planned, 180 acres of tree thinning. 17 new FTE in Dept of Resource Management will scale up restoration. Unused trails will be decommissioned; Randall stated individuals create their own trails with damaging results in sensitive areas.  5 new FTE in Planning and Development will manage planning design and construction of trails. Randall stated that adjacent, connector parcels of land are priorities for purchase, targeting South and Southeast suburbs. Randall stated that FPD only pursues lands on the market. $7M is budgeted for this year.
• A Conservation and Experiential Programming Dept, emphasizing outreach, engagement, and training has been added with 1500 additional programs, the largest expansion of programs ever. Five campgrounds have been added and 50 miles of trails. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion remain priorities for planning. There is a new Racial Equity and Inclusion Coordinator and coordination with neighboring American Indian community leaders.
• Law Enforcement has partnered with Sheriff’s Dept. for records management system. New needs assessment and plans for staffing and training are ongoing. Collaboration and coordination across departments is underway with law enforcement.

Dr. Michael Adkesson, Pres. and CEO of Chicago Zoological Society and Director of Brookfield Zoo stated the Zoo will be 100 in 2034 and continues to grow in providing exception animal care and welfare programs. 

• The FPD has committed $18.9M to the Brookfield Zoo ($4M over last year) and has committed to funding for annual inflation growth. In its reaccreditation process, it was noted that the Zoo needs to address its aging infrastructure.
• The Society and Zoo engage in regional and global conservation work. The FPDCC and Univ. of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine have collaborated to launch a pioneering program. The program provides early-career vets with specialized training in wildlife health and disease. It is the first in the US.
• Education programming partnerships in 2023 include King Conservation Science Explorers Program and Urban Rivers Project in which students developed and installed wildlife habitats. 
• To encourage access, the Zoo partnered with over 300 organizations to distribute free passes to student groups, veterans’ groups, individuals with disabilities, and economically challenged families. The FPD Nature Express bus is used to enhance access. 

Jean Franczyk, President, and CEO of Chicago Botanic Gardens described the gardens as “living museums” and stated they were pleased to have stable funding from the successful referendum.  

• The FPD supports 20% of its operating budget. For FY 2024 it has committed $11.6M ($2.4M over last year) and has committed to funding for annual inflation growth.
• $5 M from AARPA funds has been approved by CCBC for roof replacement projects at 2 buildings.
• While fees have increased, Franczyk noted that a variety of discounts on parking and admission are available.
• Many collaborative projects with FPDCC and other foundations are in place. A paid stewardship program, Stewardship in Natural Areas, is expanding. Propagating native seeds, pollinator programming, and urban agriculture programs such as Veggie Box and Windy City Harvest are in place. EDI efforts including looking at accessibility to enhance participation by the public. Expanding board representation and de-biasing hiring process are part of this effort.

Observers: Debbie Halpern & Carolyn Cosentino

Cook  County Forest  Preserve District Board Meeting
April 25, 2023  10am - 12:30pm 

Board Action:

• The Forest Preserve District has received ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and will use  approximately $10 million within the Forest Preserves for capital improvements such as restrooms;  another $10 million will go to the zoo for improvements; and $10 million for the Botanic Gardens to replace a roof.  (Agenda Item 23-0308)
• The Forest Preserves has received a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for  Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) for acquisition of a 14.3 acre parcel in Orland Park. The parcel is just north of the 960 acre Orland Grassland Preserve.  (Agenda Item 23-0296)
• The Board approved moving the May 23, 2023 board meeting from Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland to Sagawau Environmental Learning Center due to construction at Sand Ridge. (Agenda Item 23-0295)

Other items of interest:

• Out of seven public speakers, four spoke out on the issue of the coyote at the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook requesting the coyote be moved to a sanctuary in Colorado.  Superintendent Randall shared that the enclosure is currently being enlarged with increased enrichment being included.
• Stephen Hughes, CFO of the Cook County Forest Preserves, will retire shortly.  He was recognized for his 40 years of public service and as a strong advocate for the recent referendum.   (Agenda Item 23-0309)

Observer: Laura Davis 

Cook County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) Board Meeting
February 7, 2023

Board Action:

• Items approved for land acquisition, 3 parcels (23-0109, 23-0110, 23-0111). 2 funded through AARPA.  authorizes creation of new Forest Preserve near Sweet Woods. (23-0109)
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) donated a 5-7 acre parcel adjacent to Wolf Rd Prairie (23-0123).
  
• Approved Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Morton Grove regarding redevelopment of small parcel (23-0113).
• Status Report on Model Policing (23-0139) was Received and Filed. During FPD Law Enforcement Committee meeting, discussion of changes in hiring/training, social media outreach, SafeT Act Mandates and their impact took place. Training for CCFPD takes longer than Sheriff’s police; IDNR provides additional training for officers’ work in forest preserves.
• Interagency Agreement Between Chgo. Zoological Society and CCFPD for increase in admissions and parking fees at Brookfield Zoo to support its 2023 budget proposal  (23-0183).  Approved.

Items of Interest:

• 3 new Members were approved to join Conservation and Policy Council, an independent advisory group to CCFPD: Daisy Feidt, Megan Bang, Ryen Nagle. (23-0132)
• Finance Committee:  Final Corporate Expenditures for 2022 are anticipated to be below estimates for the year (2022). Report to be completed by the end of the month. Property tax collections are now up to date.  PPRT collected is $14.5 M over last year, total was $23.7M. 

Carolyn Cosentino - Observer