Forest Preserve District of Cook County - File #: 23-0522

• File #: 23-0522
• Version: 1
• Type: Consent Calendar Resolution
• Status: Approved
• File created: 9/26/2023
• In control: FPD Board of Commissioners
• On agenda: 12/12/2023
• Final action: 12/12/2023
• Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GERALD W. ADELMANN TO THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND CONGRATULATING HIM ON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, as President and CEO of Openlands, Gerald (Jerry) W. Adelmann 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; and WHEREAS, 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, and today, there are 62 National Heritage Areas based on this model throughout the United States; and WHEREAS, Jerry's influence inspired the creation of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, in Wilmington, Illinois and the protection of the rare and scenic landscape at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve located at Fort Sheridan in H...
• Sponsors: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), FRANK J. AGUILAR, ALMA E. ANAYA, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, MONICA GORDON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, JOSINA MORITA, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, ANTHONY J. QUEZADA, TARA S. STAMPS, MAGGIE TREVOR

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
12/12/2023	1	FPD Board of Commissioners	approve	Pass

title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GERALD W. ADELMANN TO THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND CONGRATULATING HIM ON HIS RETIREMENT

WHEREAS, as President and CEO of Openlands, Gerald (Jerry) W. Adelmann 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; and

WHEREAS, 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, and today, there are 62 National Heritage Areas based on this model throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, Jerry's influence inspired the creation of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, in Wilmington, Illinois and the protection of the rare and scenic landscape at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve located at Fort Sheridan in Highwood, Illinois. These initiatives, along with many other conservation accomplishments have earned him numerous honors and awards; and

WHEREAS, Openlands is a founding member of Chicago Wilderness and Jerry has worked with the Forest Preserves through this regional alliance to improve the quality of life of the individuals and the many other species living in both Cook County and throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, Jerry is a firm believer in the Forest Preserves mission that everyone should have access to nature, which he has demonstrated through the many programs Openlands administers, including promoting outdoor recreation opportunities, increasing and improving Chicagoland's tree canopy and providing environmental education opportunities to schools; and

WHEREAS, Jerry, through his leadership at Openlands, has advocated tirelessly for nature by leading campaigns to ensure locally, regionally and nationally elected officials continue to support, protect and provide a...