title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN TO COLLECT ADMISSION FEES
WHEREAS, Section 43 of the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act, 70 ILCS 810/43, authorizes the corporate authorities of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to prepare and maintain grounds for a botanic garden “to acquire, plant, maintain and display botanic material, to conduct research for improvement of plant species and for plant protection against disease and harmful insects, for the general care and growing of plant material, and to erect and maintain such structures appropriate for the purposes aforesaid; or such corporate authorities may authorize the directors or trustees of any botanic garden existing and organized under the laws of Illinois, to maintain a botanic garden as aforesaid out of funds belonging to said botanic garden; or the corporate authorities of such forest preserve districts may contract with a botanic garden or horticultural society organized and existing under the nonprofit laws of Illinois to establish and maintain a botanic garden as aforesaid,…”; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners adopted an “Agreement Between Chicago Horticultural Society and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois” on August 4, 1975, revising a previous agreement between the Forest Preserves and the Chicago Horticultural Society entered into on January 27, 1965; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Botanic Garden (the “Garden”), operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society, is currently one of the greatest living museums and a renowned conservation science center, one of the top attractions in Cook County and major cultural institutions in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, more than one million people visit the Garden's 27 gardens and four natural areas annually, which are uniquely situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of lake shoreline.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Chicago Botanic Garden to charge the following not to exceed fees:
Admission Fee: $35 per each visitor (3-61 years of age)
Parking Fees: $30 per passenger vehicle
$60 per bus, limousine, RV, and mini-bus
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Garden shall offer a reduced Admission Fee and reduced Parking Fees for residents of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Garden is authorized to offer discounts and/or waivers of fees for members, children, seniors, and veterans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above-referenced fees shall be used solely for the purposes of the improvement, operation and maintenance of the Garden; activities related to the study, propagation and culture of plants; and educational programs conducted by the Chicago Horticultural Society in furtherance of the programs of the Garden; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written approval of the General Superintendent is required if the Garden increases all or any fees per this resolution within the limits set forth above, including the reduced Admission Fees and reduced Parking Fees for residents of Cook County and any discounts and/or waivers of fees for members, children, seniors, and veterans. Increases that exceed the amounts set forth above require the approval of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Garden shall offer 52 free days per twelve (12) month period beginning January 1, 2022; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the effective date of this Resolution shall be June 30, 2021.