title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR STATE PARTICIPATION WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (“IDOT”) FOR DES PLAINES TRAIL RECONSTRCUCTION AND TO PAY THE LOCAL SHARE OF ENGINEERING COSTS
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2024, the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution (Board Item No. 240360) authorizing the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to apply for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (“ITEP”) grant, a federally funded grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) to support Phase II Engineering Services (“Engineering”) for 4.9 miles (now 4.8 miles) of improvements, including two new bridges and new boardwalk structure along the Des Plaines River Trail from Irving Park Road to Fullerton Road (known as Segments 5 and 6, Section No.: 19-00037-01-BT, Job No.: D-91-272-26), (hereafter the “Project”); and further committed the Forest Preserves to providing the required local match of up to 20% of total Project costs; and
WHEREAS, ITEP has awarded a grant for the Project in the amount of $2,594,547.00, representing 90% of the estimated engineering services Project costs of $2,882,830.00, reducing the local match obligation from 20% to 10%, thereby establishing a revised local contribution of $288,283.00; and
WHEREAS, through this resolution required by IDOT, the Forest Preserves seeks approval to accept the grant and to enter into a Joint Funding Agreement for State Participation, to establish the division of Engineering costs associated with the Project; and
WHEREAS, in order to meet deadlines for use of the funds provided via the ITEP Grant, IDOT recommends that a consulting engineering firm be employed to perform Engineering Services; and
WHEREAS, in May of 2026, the Forest Preserves issued a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for Engineering Services and based on qualifications subsequently selecte...
Click here for full text