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 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

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

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