title
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE TO TEMPORARILY EXPAND AREA DESIGNATED FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A ZOO
WHEREAS, in 1920, Edith Rockefeller McCormick donated approximately 83 acres of land to the Forest Preserves with a restrictive covenant, requiring that the land be "used and maintained in perpetuity by the [Forest Preserves] as a zoological garden[;]" and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves added another 98 acres to be used for zoo purposes; and
WHEREAS, in 1921, the Chicago Zoological Society ("CZS") incorporated for the purpose of building, operating and maintaining what is now known as Brookfield Zoo Chicago ("Zoo"); and
WHEREAS, in 1926, after a 1923 failed tax referendum, voters changed course, and approved a dedicated zoo tax leading to the official start of construction work and site grading; and
WHEREAS, on 7/1/1934 , the Zoo opened its doors to the public; and
WHEREAS, effective 4/8/1986, the Forest Preserves and CZS entered into an Agreement for the Maintenance and Operation of a Zoological Park on Lands of the Forest Preserve District (the "Main Operating Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, this Main Operating Agreement was set to expire on 4/7/2026, but was extended for one (1) year via Board Item No. 25-0197 with a new expiration date of 4/7/2027; and
WHEREAS, through this Main Operating Agreement, the Forest Preserves designated property for use as a zoological park to be maintained and operated by the CZS as part of the Zoo; and
WHEREAS, today the Zoo sits on approximately 235 acres; and
WHEREAS, to transform the Zoo for generations to come, on 10/22/2024, CZS unveiled its Next Century Plan (see Board Item No. 24-0307), with a goal of revolutionizing animal habitats and spaces; embracing sustainable practices; transforming guest experience and accessibility; and expanding contributions to environmental education and conservation sciences; and
WHEREAS, the CZS desires to use additional Forest Preserves land for parking to accommodate vis...
Click here for full text