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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
TO AUTHORIZE THE SUBMITTAL OF GRANT APPLICATIONS TO STREAMLINE SECURING AND INCREASING RESOURCES FROM FEDERAL, STATE, PRIVATE AND OTHER ENTITIES
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) recognizes that grant funding plays an important role in advancing the Forest Preserves’ mission; and
WHEREAS, since 2015 the Forest Preserves has received more than $11 million in grants from various entities including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Forest Preserve Foundation to support the Forest Preserves mission and enhance the quality of life of Cook County residents; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves is a non-home rule unit of government under Illinois law with limited ability to raise revenue and the Forest Preserves diligently seeks to leverage its financial and other resources and to make its processes more efficient and effective; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves desires to pursue grant funding in support of conservation and restoration, land acquisitions, trail enhancements, experiential and recreational programs, green infrastructure, and other initiatives for the benefit of Cook County residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, grant applications frequently require that the party seeking to obtain a grant has the requisite authority to do so and such proposed grantee must provide signed forms indicating its governing body’s support of the project for which grant funds are sought; and
WHEREAS, as grant application deadlines do not always coincide with Board meetings, the Forest Preserves seeks blanket authority to apply for and pursue any and all grant funding in support of its mission and agrees to seek further authority from its Board of Commissioners in the event the Forest Preserves is required to commit to matching funds in order to receive a desired grant or other financial support; and
WHEREAS, board approval of this proposed Resolution to Authorize the Submission of Grant Applications to Streamline Securing and Increasing Resources from Federal, State, Private and other Entities will allow the Forest Preserves to improve its grant application process and better ensure that appropriate grant opportunities are pursued effectively and efficiently.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by President Toni Preckwinkle and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners that this proposed resolution for the Authorization for the Submission of Grant Applications to Streamline Securing and Increasing Resources, from Federal, State, Private and other Entities is hereby approved.
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