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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 Preserves Now More Than 70,000 acres

11/26/2024

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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:
  • Announced: There will be additional work in the Beaubien Woods FP to improve the Underground Railroad paths and information in addition to improvements to the boat launch.
  • Announced: There is a noticeable improvement in the Forest Preserves since the passage of no single use plastics. 
  • CCFP 2025 Budget was passed. According to President Preckwinkle the financial strength of the CCFP is strong. The pension fund is fully funded, there are more acres under restoration than ever before, there is an acceleration of improving infrastructure and a greater access to nature with a specific focus on equity and inclusion. 
  • Reappointments to the Conservation and Policy Council: Alan Bell and Jaqueline Samuel.

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
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Cook County FPD Board Meets at Sand Ridge Nature Center

6/12/2024

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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:
  • A representative from the University of Illinois Extension Service, praised the work of the Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists who have contributed so much to Sand Ridge, particularly in the restoration efforts.
  • Dr. Larry McClellan informed the group of the Little Calumet Underground Railroad Project.
  • Ryan Nagel of the Policy Council Conservation extolled the work of its youth programs.
  • Nancy Joseph, a Sand Ridge Steward who volunteers weekly, stated what a privilege it is to work with the volunteers at Sand Ridge.
  •  Four speakers who appeared via video could not be heard or understood very well.
Following the public comments, the Commissioners approved several land acquisition agreements and financial items. 

​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
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  • Home
  • About
    • LWVCC Interest Groups >
      • Cook County Budget & Structure Group
      • Criminal Justice
      • Forest Preserve Interest Group
    • LWVCC Action and Testimony
    • LWVCC Activities
  • Observer Reports
    • Cook County Board Observer Reports
    • MWRD Board Observer Reports
    • Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports
    • CCH Board Observer Reports
  • Voter Info
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