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 of Commissioners Meeting
October 17, 2023            

Board Action:

• New proposed CCFP budget to be $189 million over last year’s budget for a 4% increase
• Based on the property tax referendum that passed the CCFP received approximately $41 million dollars over the past year
• Funds were used to restore trails, acquire more land and broaden outreach to communities of color

Plans for 2024 include:

• Increased security with greater law enforcement presence and additional volunteer training
• Increased focus on programming in Spanish and introducing Polish language programming
• Restoration of 400 acres of woodlands and floodplains in the south suburbs
• Making the CCFP a more equitable place to work
• Deepen partnerships with Indigenous American communities
• Hiring an additional 58 employees for a total of over 720, primarily fulltime
• Consideration of adding a bike rental program and opportunities for local small businesses to have concession stands
• Finally, to contribute $12.4 million toward pension payments unlike previous years when there was usually a shortage for pensions

Watch for in the future:

• There are currently 35 public programs scheduled throughout the CCFP between now and November 13
• Public hearing on CCFP budget proposal on Thursday, October 26 at 10a in the Board Room at 118 N Clark
• Vote on final budget set for November

Observer: Deborah Halpern

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
September 19, 2023

Board Action:
Cook County Forest Preserve Police Law Enforcement Report 

• Law  Enforcement stated that they adopted the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Ten Shared Principles     https://www.ilchiefs.org/10-shared-principles
• Forest Preserve Police are trained as police officers with additional training on preserving nature
• Continued training is important
• Training includes de-escalation
•  The department has 14 new officers
• The force is still down by 27 officers
•  Recruitment includes retired police officers

Watch for in the future:

• Forest Preserve management is reviewing current salaries for Forest Preserve Police and will be asking the board for increased money in the future.  FP Police needs to be competitive with other forces and to retain officers.

​Observer:    Laura Davis 

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
June 27, 2023

Board Action:

• Two new staff members have been hired by the Forest Preserve to work in the animal ambassador program.  Superintendent Randall spoke to the updates on the enclosure at River Trail and the goals of the enhanced animal ambassador program which will be guided by a report offering ten points as a framework for care. The coyote will be introduced to the almost 3000 square foot enclosure this week. New  enrichment elements are included in the enhanced enclosure.
• Three tree removal contracts were awarded to different companies to remove trees in the forests which are determined to be a hazard. (Agenda items: 23-0333, 23-0334, 23-0335)
• Commissioners approved a grant from the Morton Arboretum worth $25,000 to plant trees in areas where trees were lost to the emerald ash borer. (Agenda item: 23-0386)
• A contract was approved to buy two new trucks - a hybrid and a fully electric F150. Commissioner Kevin Morrison complimented the decision. (Agenda item: 23-0388)
• Damon Howell CFO was introduced to the board.

Other Items of Interest:

• Majority of public speakers spoke against the animal ambassador program and the retaining of the coyote at River Trail Nature Center. 

Observer:  Laura Davis 

Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
May 23, 2023

A tribute to Shelley Spencer was on the agenda.  In 2015 she produced “Chicago’s True Nature” an Emmy award-winning documentary on the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPDCC).  
https://fpdcc.com/chicagos-true-nature-forest-preserves-cook-county/
She has been on the FPDCC’s Conservation and Policy Council taking part in the Council’s Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee.

The Friends of Northbrook Forest Preserve was organized in 1998 and received recognition for their volunteer work in Somme Woods, Somme Prairie Nature Preserve, and Somme Prairie Grove Nature Preserve in northeast Cook County.  The groups “hands on” restoration includes brush control, prescribed burns, chainsaw safety, and invasive species control.  Over decades this group has contributed thousands of work hours to restoring the health and biodiversity of the preserves.

Commissioner Dennis Deer was reappointed to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace, an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserve along with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District.  NeighborSpace is a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that supports gardens with dedicated community groups.  NeighborSpace has acquired vacant lots and provides basic insurance, access to water, protection of land from development, links to resources, and technical assistance so community groups can focus on gardening.

A brownfield is a property that is underutilized or vacant that may have environmental issues that prevent redevelopment.  The Cook County Dept of Environment and Sustainability will provide American Rescue Plan Act funds up to $1.5 million to the preserves in Brownfield Program demolition, environmental assessment and environmental remediation services for an estimated 65 structures.  The plan is to increase green space for outdoor recreation.  

Illegal dumping of garbage such as construction debris, tires, hazardous waste, household appliances, electronics, landscape waste on forest preserve land, waters, beaches or down storm sewers is an ongoing pollution problem when perpetrators won’t use legitimate waste disposal and FPDCC has to bear the cleanup costs.    It is hard to monitor 70,000 acres for this “fly dumping” as a lot of dumping happens at night.  Three agenda items were referred to the Finance Committee that proposed to raise the uppermost fine to $750 from $500 for each offense.  Violators caught will be held liable for the cost of legal waste disposal as well as the cost to replace or repair the property damage from the illegal dumping.

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center is in Lemont IL and has 2.6 miles of walking trails which in the winter are groomed only for cross-country skiing.  Sagawau offers ski lessons and rents equipment.  Sagawau Canyon has the only natural exposure of bedrock in Cook County- guided walks can be scheduled.  The visitor center has many exhibits and its website lists many events and programs.

Observer - Michele Niccolai