Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
May 14, 2024

CCFP scientists presented information on the upcoming “Cicadas Celebration”. Cook County will not see the “double emergence” of the two varieties. The area will only experience the one 17 year Cicada and the first adults were seen yesterday, May 13. They will last through the beginning of July. The CCFP Sound Map Project will be recording the cicada songs.

Diversity Committee Report:
The CCFP exceeded their 2023 set goals. In 2023: 

• 42% of all contracts were awarded to minority and/or women owned businesses
• 52% of contract payments for primary or subcontractors went to minority or women owned businesses
• 15 outreach events took place in 2023 to publicize contract opportunities

The Cook County Forest Preserve District approved the purchase of two properties in the southeast area of Cook County near Sweet Woods close to Homewood and South Holland.

• Property 1; 46.44 acres for $1,520,000
• Property 2; 42.09 acres for $1,680,00
• Totals: 88.53 acres for $3,200,000
• Purchase will increase the CCFP to a total of 69,893 acres
• The properties were agricultural and unincorporated
• 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. 

Public Speakers:

• Cheryl Thomas, Chair of the Brookfield Zoo Board and others spoke of the $10M restoration of the Bottlenose Dolphin 7 Seasons pool. During the 15 months of restoration the dolphins were transported to Minnesota where they continued to be cared for by Brookfield Zoo staff. The dolphins have now returned safely to their new home at the Zoo.

​Observer: Deborah Halpern

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
April 16, 2024

A key goal set forward in the Forest Preserve Next Century Conservation Plan is to dedicate and register 20,000 acres with the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act. Through this act, the highest level of protection is provided for land in Illinois and is granted to areas of important ecological or cultural significance. 

• A proposed addition to the existing 446 acre Busse Forest Nature Preserve in Elk Grove Village  would add 508 additional acres.
• The site is considered high-quality remnant mesic upland forest, dry-mesic woodland, northern flatwoods, and freshwater marsh. The topography fosters communities to support immense biological diversity, including over 275 species of native plants.  
• Forest Preserves has 27 dedicated Nature Preserves and the proposed expansion of Busse Forest Nature Preserve would bring the total IL Natural Preservation protected lands to approximately 11,739 acres.

Two parcels have been identified in Lynwood (Sweet Woods), near Ford Heights and Sauk Village, to be purchased. The total property would add approximately 46.44 acres to Forest Preserve land. Request was referred to committee.

Commissioner Degnen proposed a resolution declaring a climate emergency. She specifically asked for the elimination of single use plastic and stated that 22 million pounds of plastic waste enters the Great Lakes every year. Her goal is an ordinance eliminating single use plastic.  

Observers:   Laura Davis and Sabine Scholz

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 12, 2024  (Meeting date changed due to  March 19 Primary Election)

The Cook County Forest Preserve District will increase its land holdings in the southeast area of Cook County. The property is west of state route 394 and north of US 30

• 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 Board Approved the  Sale of acres in Ford Heights from Larry A. Paarlberg and Marcia Christine Paarlberg, As Joint Tenants (Owners of Record), 1588 13 th Street, Ford Heights, Cook County, multiple parcels totaling 56 acres. 
The  vote was 15 yea, 1 nay (Sean Morrison) and 1 excused (Gaynor)

Public Speakers:

• Henrietta Saunders- a member of the Conservation and Policy Council –whose goals are “clean air, clean water, and reduced flooding”-- spoke in support of the land acquisition stating that the voters of Cook County overwhelming supported the referendum and favor  increasing park land south of I-80.

Observer: Valerie Krejcie

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