Cook County Forest Preserves Goal to Reach 90,000 Acres

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