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: 

• 42% of all contracts were awarded to minority and/or women owned businesses
• 52% of contract payments for primary or subcontractors went to minority or women owned businesses
• 15 outreach events took place in 2023 to publicize contract opportunities

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.

• Property 1; 46.44 acres for $1,520,000
• Property 2; 42.09 acres for $1,680,00
• Totals: 88.53 acres for $3,200,000
• Purchase will increase the CCFP to a total of 69,893 acres
• The properties were agricultural and unincorporated
• The acquisition advances the goals of the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, Next Century Conservation Plan, and Acquisition and Disposition of Land Position Paper. 

Public Speakers:

• Cheryl Thomas, Chair of the Brookfield Zoo Board and others spoke of the $10M restoration of the Bottlenose Dolphin 7 Seasons pool. During the 15 months of restoration the dolphins were transported to Minnesota where they continued to be cared for by Brookfield Zoo staff. The dolphins have now returned safely to their new home at the Zoo.

​Observer: Deborah Halpern

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
April 16, 2024

A key goal set forward in the Forest Preserve Next Century Conservation Plan is to dedicate and register 20,000 acres with the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act. Through this act, the highest level of protection is provided for land in Illinois and is granted to areas of important ecological or cultural significance. 

• A proposed addition to the existing 446 acre Busse Forest Nature Preserve in Elk Grove Village  would add 508 additional acres.
• The site is considered high-quality remnant mesic upland forest, dry-mesic woodland, northern flatwoods, and freshwater marsh. The topography fosters communities to support immense biological diversity, including over 275 species of native plants.  
• Forest Preserves has 27 dedicated Nature Preserves and the proposed expansion of Busse Forest Nature Preserve would bring the total IL Natural Preservation protected lands to approximately 11,739 acres.

Two parcels have been identified in Lynwood (Sweet Woods), near Ford Heights and Sauk Village, to be purchased. The total property would add approximately 46.44 acres to Forest Preserve land. Request was referred to committee.

Commissioner Degnen proposed a resolution declaring a climate emergency. She specifically asked for the elimination of single use plastic and stated that 22 million pounds of plastic waste enters the Great Lakes every year. Her goal is an ordinance eliminating single use plastic.  

Observers:   Laura Davis and Sabine Scholz

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 12, 2024  (Meeting date changed due to  March 19 Primary Election)

The Cook County Forest Preserve District will increase its land holdings in the southeast area of Cook County. The property is west of state route 394 and north of US 30

• For the sum of $1,410,000.00, plus closing costs up to $10,000.00.  
• The property has natural and fallowed land.
• The acquisition advances the goals of the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, Next Century Conservation Plan, and Acquisition and Disposition of Land Position Paper. 

The Board Approved the  Sale of acres in Ford Heights from Larry A. Paarlberg and Marcia Christine Paarlberg, As Joint Tenants (Owners of Record), 1588 13 th Street, Ford Heights, Cook County, multiple parcels totaling 56 acres. 
The  vote was 15 yea, 1 nay (Sean Morrison) and 1 excused (Gaynor)

Public Speakers:

• Henrietta Saunders- a member of the Conservation and Policy Council –whose goals are “clean air, clean water, and reduced flooding”-- spoke in support of the land acquisition stating that the voters of Cook County overwhelming supported the referendum and favor  increasing park land south of I-80.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie