Category: Tax Levy

Cook County Voters Pass Tax Hike for the Forest Preserves

11/22/2022

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
November 15, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.

President Toni Preckwinkle thanked everyone for their hard work in the passage of the referendum approving a tax hike. The referendum won with a 68% approval, and will be about 40M a year in extra funds for the Cook County Forest Preserve.

The Board approved:

The Board approved a contract amendment with the Friends of the Forest Preserve to extend and increase their contract with the Career Immersion Program in the amount of $1,050,000. The Chief Financial Officer had also approved this item. (22-0425)
The Board passed an ordinance to add to Forest Preserve land near Orland Grassland at location 9700 W 167th Street, Orland Park. (22-0479)

Other items of interest:

The Board thanked Commissioners Larry Suffredin, Deborah Sims, Peter N. Silvestri, and Luis Arroyo for their work and dedication to the Forest Preserve. This was their last meeting on the Board.
The Forest Preserve’s calendar of events can be found at https://fpdcc.com/events/ The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe has just started their light-filled holiday installations. National Take a Hike Day is on 11/17, and Country Lane Woods, Willow Springs is hosting a 5-mile hike with a naturalist at 1 p.m. Registration required.

Observer: Amber L Elmer

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Creates New Preserve

10/21/2022

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
October 18, 2022- 10:00 a.m.

Board Action and Discussion:

Commissioners served the mission of the Forest Preserve by passing an ordinance to create a new forest preserve near Sweet Woods in District. 5. Several members spoke in favor, pointing out that this would serve to protect and preserve natural forests for the purpose of education and pleasure.
The Board of commissioners adopted the 2023 calendar designating specific Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Three of these regular meetings will be held on site in the forest preserves.
In accordance with the Truth in Taxation Act, the commissioners must determine the estimated amount necessary for the 2022 levy year. If that amount exceeds 105% of the amount of property taxes, then the Board must publicize and hold a public hearing.
The Board received Part II of a position paper on diversity and inclusion. The group conducted community interviews, focus groups, and researched the history of the forest preserves. The focus is to create a welcoming, respectful place for all cultures. Recognition of Native American connections will be an important part of this initiative.
Commissioner Suffredin, who is retiring at the end of his current term, presented his 2022 Forest Preserve Survey, which he has conducted annually for the past twenty years. He reported that the surveys have become more and more positive. The commissioner urged the board to continue the surveys in the future and offered suggestions for improvement from the current permit users.
Public testimony centered exclusively on the plight of Rocky, the coyote. Nine citizens registered concern about the coyote’s current caged status. They urged the Board to send Rocky to a sanctuary in Colorado.

Observer - Georgia Gebhardt

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Proposed 2022 Cook County Forest Preserve Budget Presented to CCFPD Board

10/22/2021

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting
October 5, 2021

Special Meeting:

President Preckwinkle submitted the executive budget for the FPCC for 2022. The budget is $136M total, a 1.8% increase from last year. $23.4M for the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden, which is the same level as 2021. This 2022 budget includes borrowing $17M from the Corporate Reserve Fund to make ends meet next year.
Preckwinkle talked about the importance of the 2022 ballot initiative which would put the Preserves on a sustainable path. This would only increase property taxes by 1/10th of 1%. She also spoke about the importance of the Preserves for the community during Covid. In 2020, visitors increased from 62M to 100M, and there was a 33% increase in visits to the FPCC website.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the budget on 10/21/21 at 6pm, and 10/28/21 at 9am. These meetings will be virtual.
The 2022 proposed budget was referred to the Committee on Finance. (Agenda Item 21-0471)

Board Actions:

The board approved an increase in the grant amount from the Audubon Great Lakes in the amount of $165,000. This increase is for finalizing the design and construction of a water control and fish passage system at Powderhorn Lake in Chicago. Costs have exceeded the original grant amount of $807,290, and Audubon wishes to contribute additional funding to complete the project. (Agenda Item 21-0451)
The board approved a partnership agreement with Openlands. Openlands has received a $400,000 grant from the Walder Foundation for the ecological restoration of Beaubien Woods. (Agenda Item 21-0453)
The board added a resolution on Planning for the Development of a Model Police Department. This item was referred to the Law Enforcement Committee. (Agenda Item 21-0474)

The proposed calendar of events was approved for October. Please check the Forest Preserve’s Website for events and activities www.fpdcc.com/events

Observer: Amber L Elmer Meeting Length: One hour, six minutes

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Community Organizations Testify in Favor of Proposed Cook County Forest Preserve Referendum.

8/4/2021

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting
July 27, 2021

Agenda Item 21-0346- Proposed Referendum for an Increase in the tax rate to be placed on the November 2022 ballot

Among those who testified were the CEO of the Chicago Botanic Gardens, West Side Ministers, the CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, Audubon Great Lakes, Orland Grasslands, Chicago Area Mountain Bikers, Friends of the Chicago River, the chair of Open Lands, Illinois Environmental Council, and the Filipino-American Council.
In addition, each commissioner spoke in strong support for the referendum.
There was passage of 21-0346 by roll call vote. Unanimous (17 ayes).

Board Actions:

All CCFP commissioners spoke in support of a resolution honoring retiring secretary of the Board, Matthew de Leon. He has had a tenure of ten years with the Board of Commissioners.
All action items on the agenda were passed.
21-0262- was referred to the Law Enforcement Committee
21-0315- Board approved the code of ethics that would conform with that of the Cook County Board.
Bid recommendations and license requests of the finance committee and the real estate committee were passed. (Those of the real estate committee by roll call vote.)
21-0391-Commissioner Suffredin moved that this item be referred to the rules committee. It involves the open meetings act, allowing, under limited circumstances, for a member to participate and vote remotely. (Limited circumstances would be such things as personal illness, family emergency, etc.) Vote: all ayes.

Observer - Georgia Gebhardt Meeting Length: 56 minutes

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting

7/24/2021

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Forest Preserve District (FPD) of Cook County Board Meeting
June 22, 2021

Board Action:

Item #21-0315 Code of Ethical Conduct This was needed to comply with State Officials and Employees Act and needed to be updated to correspond with current County policy. Referral to Litigation and Governmental Relations Committee approved.
21-0302 Recognition of Dedication of Somme Prairie Grove and an Illinois Nature Preserve. This is the 27th nature preserve area for FPD that has been recognized by Illinois Nature Preserves Commission as restored to health and one of 600 restored nature preserves in Illinois. With 5 Land And Water Preserves, the FPD manages 10,405 acres with the support of many partner organizations. This is consistent with recommendations of the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan. Approved.
21-0316. Proposed grant by Illinois Dept of Natural Resources. $1.2 million over 2 years to complete Caldwell Woods Wellness Studio located in Chicago. This will be a Renovation construction of a facility formerly used as a warming shelter. This is a matching grant with a $409,700 from FPDCC. Approved.
21-309 Proposed IGA with Dept. of Planning and Development and CC Sheriff’s Office to extend for 3 yr contract for building deconstruction and salvage service of vacant buildings through the assistance of men in the Sheriff’s Dept.’s Renew program. This is a vocational program for volunteers who are non-violent detainees. Work was delayed by Covid 19 restrictions. Participants receive an OSHA safety certification and learn construction skills, deconstruction skills and training in safe salvage removal practices. Participants volunteer and are not paid. Commissioners raised many questions which were answered by Joe DeLisi from the Sheriff’s Office Renew program. Comm. S. Morrison suggested that the dept. provide a briefing to the Board to more fully answer questions. Com Daley stated that Budget hearings are a good time to ask questions of the Sheriff’s Office. Approved.
21-0304 Corporate Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenses Report. Motion to receive and file was approved. CFO Steven Hughes presented the report. In April, property tax collection was down from that time in 2020 by about $1M. By May, it had rebounded ahead of 2019 and 2020. Fees are trending up from 2020 for licensing agreements and use of campgrounds and picnic areas. YTD, Revenue exceeds expenses by $14.8M which is similar to though a bit behind 2019 and 2020.
21-0317 Proposed Calendar of Events. Received and filed. Supt. Randall reported that the FPD is operating at Phase 5 and continues to respond to Covid 19 guidance. He stated that many outdoor events are taking place throughout the FPD including the 8th year of Juneteenth celebrations, teacher workshops, Kids Fest and Insects Fest. Campground are fully open; there are no capacity limits for events. Visitors are asked to mask indoors if not vaccinated and outdoors if not vaccinated when maintaining social distance is not possible. FPD employees are masked. For details of events see FPDCC.com

New Business

21-0266 Clean Energy Framework - Proposed Resolution was approved. This was developed by the University of IL Prairie Research Institute with the collaboration of key stakeholders, content experts, climate experts and FPD staff. One goal change is that 100% of electricity consumed by Forest Preserves will be generated through renewable energy resources and associated technologies by 2050.
21-0346. Proposed Resolution to increase the tax levy rate for the FPD to be voted on in the General Election to be held on Nov. 8, 2022. Referred to Finance Committee. Com. Suffredin stated the final form for the Resolution will be submitted to the Board at the Dec. meeting.

Carolyn Cosentino - Observer Meeting Length: 1 hr 36 min

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget Includes No New Fees or a Tax Increase

11/21/2020

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
November 17, 2020

Finance Meeting:

Agenda item 20-0389 Cook County Commissioners applauded Superintendent Arnold Randall for his fiscal 2021 budget which plans for no new fees or tax increases. The budget is described as a “caretaker budget” which will use reserves to fill in budget holes. Commissioner Suffredin talked about the value of the forest preserves to all of Cook County, particularly during this time of pandemic. He believes there needs to be a referendum next year in order for the forest preserves to expand land for preservation and more money for Brookfield Zoo and the Botanic Garden. He applauded the efforts of the Conservation Community Council, led by Wendy Paulson, for all the efforts by volunteers to support the forest preserves.

Board Meeting

A public speaker requested increased security measures at Midlothian Meadows where a young woman was recently murdered. Security measures could include increased patrols, emergency call boxes and cameras. Superintendent Randall discussed some of the difficulties, but stated that patrols have increased and there continues to be investigation to determine who committed the crime.
The Cook County Land Bank donated 5.84 acres of land/property by Cermac Woods which is on a flood plain, to the FPDCC. The District cleared the property of the house.
The FPDCC has entered into a revenue generating agreement with Trailbound Trips, Barrington, IL., to offer hikes in the forest preserves.

Observer - Laura Davis Meeting length: Approximately 1 hour

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Cook County Voters Pass Tax Hike for the Forest Preserves

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Creates New Preserve

Proposed 2022 Cook County Forest Preserve Budget Presented to CCFPD Board

Community Organizations Testify in Favor of Proposed Cook County Forest Preserve Referendum.

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting

Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget Includes No New Fees or a Tax Increase

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