Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Board of Commissioners Meeting
February, 27, 2024

The Cook County Forest Preserve District will increase its land holdings in the southeast area of Cook County if the proposed purchase is approved. 

• Almost 57 acres will be acquired in Ford Heights, Cook County, 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 Ford Heights purchase is being sent to committee. 

Cook County Forest Preserve Police can now compete with local police departments due to the money from the referendum.  

• Salaries for FP police have been raised and officers are now being hired and retained.  
• The CCFP is still working on increasing diversity in hiring. 

Observer:   Laura Davis 

Cook County Forest Preserves District Meeting
January 23, 2024

Several times during the January 23rd meeting of the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Board of Commissioners as well as other individuals praised the work of Superintendent Arnold Randall during his 13 years of service to the Cook County Forest Preserves.

• The recent acquisition of additional land for the Spring Lake area
• Capitol Development Improvements and Ecological Restoration projects
• Major acquisitions in SE Cook
• Positive results from a survey of 1200 (?) people who visited the forest preserves in 2023 – and an increase in improvement over 2022.
• Henrietta Saunders spoke on behalf of the Conservation and Policy Council
• Ben Helphan, Executive Director of Neighbor Space, expressed his appreciation for the support his organization has received from Supt. Randall for protected gardens 
• Three Boy Scout leaders presented Randall with a plaque of appreciation

After each commissioner conveyed his/her gratitude and well wishes to Supt. Randall, President Preckwinkle added her personal appreciation.  Supt. Randall then offered comments on his tenure as superintendent, including the statement that it’s the best job he’s ever had.  

Other items of interest:

• Eileen Figel was appointed Interim General Superintendent
• Authorization was approved for the Forest Preserves to enter into supplemental local public agency agreement for design of the Des Plaines trail bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad north of Golf Road
• The Forest Preserves has been awarded federal grant funds from the U.S. and Wildlife Service in support of habitat restoration activities in Bemis Woods.
• Several authorizations were approved for amendment and/or extending existing intergovernmental agreements.
• Supt. Randall highlighted several winter events and activities from 1/23/24 – 2/27/24 throughout the preserves.

Observer:  Erin Roeper

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
December 12,  2023

Labor
Approved the collective bargaining agreement between the  FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND TEAMSTERS, LOCAL 700 extending term of agreement to December 31, 2025 with 2 cost of living adjustments.  Effective the first full payroll period on or after January 1, 2022, the pay rates for all job classifications shall be increased by 3.5%;  Effective the first full payroll period on or after July 1, 2025, the pay rates for all job classifications shall be increased by 5%. 

Legislation
The Forest Preserve will continue collaboration with The Prairie Research Institute through 2028. The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) comprises five (5) state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. This agreement enables the Forest Preserves to consult with and engage the technical expertise of each of these scientific institutions, based on annual tasks assigned by the Forest Preserves.
Since 2014, the Forest Preserves has partnered with the PRI for the purpose of developing a Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan, a landmark document that has helped guide the allocation of resources and informed strategies to pursue and meet the ambitious goals set forth in the Forest Preserves’ Next Century Conservation Plan. A number of milestone projects have been achieved pursuant to implementation of the plan, including comprehensive field assessments of natural and archaeological resources within the preserves, the subsequent prioritization of Forest Preserves lands for restoration, development of a seed sourcing policy, and the development of standardized protocols for long-term assessment of conservation success.  Agreement Period: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2028, with one (1) five-year extension option to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent Fiscal Impact: Not to exceed $300,000.00 per calendar year and a total of $3,000,000.00 including any optional extensions.

Honored  

• GERALD (Jerry) W. ADELMANN ON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, as President and CEO of Openlands, has dedicated his career to advancing the mission of protecting natural and open spaces to ensure cleaner air and water, safeguard natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich the lives of the people in our region, Jerry joined Openlands in 1980 to coordinate a special program that led to the creation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, the first federal land designation of its kind. 
• NANCY JOSEPH received the Outstanding Citizen Volunteer Award for her service as a Site Steward at Sand Ridge Nature Center in south Cook County where she has been volunteering since 2013, dedicating over 1,700 hours of service to the Forest Preserves in the past decade
• The Forest Preserves of Cook County, Chicago Zoological Society, and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine were honored with a Best of the Best Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts during its annual gala, receiving the Partnership Award for the Illinois Zoological and Wildlife Health Management Residency Program which focuses on the health of wild animal populations in urban and suburban settings. The program is the nation’s first wildlife residency program that meets the rigorous standards of the American College of Zoological Medicine and supports a new level of specialty care and professional veterinary medical services that are focused on establishing a baseline of wildlife health.
  

Law Enforcement
Model Policing Report for July 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023  on the status to achieve the goal of a Model Forest Preserves Police Department.  Historically the problem was with retention, but now with more money the salaries are competitive with suburban departments.  No one has left except to retire.  Also,  they feel that they are doing better with their relationship with communities of color. 

Reappointment
Laurel Ross, Henrietta Saunders, Mark Templeton as Council Members to The Conservation and Policy Council that advises the President, Board of Commissioners, and General Superintendent and develops and annually updates  the strategic plan.  Effective date: 1/1/2024 Expiration date: 12/31/2026. 

​Proposed Resolution 
$10 million grant to help improve trails at Swallow Clift and Palos Trails to address these issues: 1) Recurring erosion, 2) Wayfinding and 3) Safety and signage. 1100 acres in restoration. 22% of all Forest Preserve trails are at this site.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie

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