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Cook County Forest Preserve District Adds Additional 37 Acres

5/11/2025

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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
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Cook County Forest Preserves District Purchases More Land

4/17/2025

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
April 8, 2025

Items of Interest:


  • The Commissioners approved the purchase of 74.6 acres of land in South Barrington near the Paul Douglas Preserve to establish a new Forest Preserve with closing costs of $3.5M.  It was discussed that despite this purchase in one of Cook County’s wealthier neighborhoods that the Cook County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) is actively continuing the search for additional lands in the underserved areas of Cook County. 
  • Laurel Ross, who serves on the CCFPD Conservation and Policy Council spoke to update the Board on current restoration work and to thank the Commissioners for their on-goiing support for the CCFPD.
  • During the Finance Committee meeting, the expansion of concessions and vendors was discussed. There is work being done to expand the permits for vendors to increase the experiences of visitors to the Forest Preserves. An example of that will be to bring in more food trucks to the campgrounds within the Forest Preserves. The permits with REI to conduct classes are over and will be replaced with new vendors in the future. 
  • Commissioner Lowry stepped over to say to the Cook County League of Women Voter's observer that on behalf of the commissioners he thanked the LWVCC for their support of continuing transparency and appreciates our attending the meetings.
:Observer - Deborah Halpern
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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Approves Purchase of More Land

3/16/2025

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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
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Cook County Forest Preserves Goal to Reach 90,000 Acres

2/7/2025

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting 
February 4, 2025 


Two ordinances will create a Forest Preserve adjacent to Michael J. O’Malley Preserve in Bloom Township, Burnham Ave, south of E. Sauk Trail. The Cook County Forest Preserves partnered several years ago with a developer who will mitigate 72 acres and donate them to the Forest Preserve in addition to mitigating an additional 32 acres currently owned by the Forest Preserves on adjacent land.  All of this mitigation is part of the Wetland Mitigation Bank. It is described as a “win-win” for the developer and the Forest Preserves contributing to 100 additional acres for the Forest Preserve. (Agenda Items 25-006 and 25-007)

The Forest Preserve Police Chief, Teresa Odom, and Deputy Chief, Samuel Muniz, gave an update on the Cook County Forest Preserve police. They shared their Mission and Code of Ethics in addition to their strategic initiatives. Initiatives include: building trust in the community, clear policies, promoting organizational change, ensuring officers have technology tools to do their jobs, providing training and opportunities for advancement, and developing strategies to recruit officers.  

A posting in December 2024 for new hires resulted in over 300 applicants. A couple of the commissioners shared that they had hosted job fairs and were curious about the results. The Cook County Forest Preserve Police is using non-traditional methods to reach out for applicants, including reaching out to individuals with conservation or biology backgrounds, or youth groups. Cook County Forest Preserve Police applicants do not need a college degree, but must be at least 21 years old and have a track record of continued employment since leaving high school.

Observer:   Laura Davis
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Cook County Forest Preserve District Expands African American History Programming

1/19/2025

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting 
January 14, 2025 
​

  • The Cook County Forest Preserves shared the expanded engagement opportunities with the Cook County Forest Preserve Commissioners regarding Underground Railroad sites, African American Water Trail, Beaubien Youth Outdoor Ambassadors program and Juneteenth events.  Part of this expansion is due to a $4 million improvement project that made the Beaubien Boat Launch site more amenable for groups. 
  • Tom Shepherd, Executive Director, Underground Railroad Historic Tours and Presentations- formerly Little Calumet - shared an update with the Commissioners regarding the expansion and popularity of the tours.  The tours usually fill up within two days. He indicated that the tours are now part of the Midwest Underground Railroad network. 
  • Commissioner Donna Miller spoke to the value of these educational opportunities and called out the League of Women Voters for bringing groups to these sites. 
  • The commissioners were reminded that Beaubien Woods is a National Historic Landmark. 
  • Interim General Superintendent, Eileen Figel, reported that the Forest Preserves of Cook County was awarded a Certificate of Approval in the American Humane Association for its Ambassador Animal Program at its six nature centers. This approval involved an auditor who spent a week at the Nature Centers, observing the Ambassador Animals, reviewing procedures and records and talking with and observing staff as they provided husbandry, enrichment and programming with and for the Ambassador Animals. The certificate award is based on best practices and evidence-based principles. The report commended the Forest Preserve staff on their dedicated work on behalf of the animals in their care. 
  • The new commissioner, Dr. Kisha McCaskill, received applause as she joined the commissioners meeting. 

Observer:   Laura Davis 
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Cook County FPD Board Receives 2025 Update to the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan

12/24/2024

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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
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  • Home
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    • LWVCC Interest Groups >
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