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

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