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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESCISSION OF THE PERMANENT NAMING POLICY
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (“Forest Preserves”) Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 17-0178 on September 11, 2018, to officially recognize and adopt names of Forest Preserves Lands and Amenities after a staff-led Naming Committee made recommendations to the Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 19-0354 on September 24, 2019, to adopt a Permanent Naming Policy; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (the “Act”), supporting citizens’ right to be informed and the requirement that actions and deliberations of public bodies be conducted openly; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding this commitment and good faith interpretation of the Open Meetings Act, the Forest Preserves’ staff-led Naming Committee has been interpreted by the Public Access Counselor to be a public body under the Act, based in part on the prior Permanent Naming Policy adopted by the Board; and
WHEREAS, for clarification the Forest Preserves staff-led Naming Committee differs from the Equity, Cultural Sensitivity, and Inclusion Site Name Task Force (“ECSI”) (Board Item No. 22-0334), which was co-chaired by the Chair of the Real Estate Committee and a Conservation and Policy Council member, and which issued a final report to the Board of Commissioners on April 25, 2023 (Board Item No. 23-0272); and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves has determined that it is advisable to have the Permanent Naming Policy be rewritten to clarify that the Naming Committee is not formally appointed by, or accountable to, the Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Permanent Naming Policy and the establishment of the Forest Preserves’ staff-led Naming Committee was intended as an informal advisory committee to advise the General Superintendent.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby rescind Resolution 19-0354 and the Forest Preserves’ Permanent Naming Policy (Policy No. 04.30.00) as adopted on September 24, 2019 and as amended effective April 11, 2023.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Superintendent shall promulgate a Districtwide Permanent Naming Policy that creates a Naming Committee of Forest Preserves’ staff that advises and reports directly to the General Superintendent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners retains the authority and responsibility of approving the naming or renaming of Forest Preserves properties, facilities, natural areas, and other public places.
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