Cook County Forest Preserves Now More Than 70,000 acres

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