Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
April 8, 2025 Items of Interest:
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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 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 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:
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 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:
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:
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.
Public Speakers:
Observer: Deborah Halpern |
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