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PROPOSED INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Office of the General Superintendent
Other Part(ies): Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois
Request: To amend an agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) and the Chicago Zoological Society (the “Zoo”).
Good(s) or Service(s): Brookfield Zoo Admission and Parking
Agreement period: 4/8/1986 - 4/7/2026
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Accounts: N/A
Agreement Number(s): N/A
District(s): 16
Summary: The Zoo seeks agreement of the Forest Preserves to amend Section 13 of the previously executed agreement between the Chicago Zoological Society (Zoo) and the Forest Preserves of Cook County (Forest Preserves) for the maintenance and operation of a zoological park on lands of the Forest Preserves commonly known as the Brookfield Zoo, to allow for changes in certain admission and parking rates. The proposed increase will support the Zoo’s submitted 2023 budget proposal. The amendment to approve an increase in admission and parking fees at the Zoo is indicated below:
Section 13 of the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
"Said Zoological Park shall be open without general admission charge to organized groups of children in attendance at schools in the State of Illinois. The Society may limit the number of any such groups in any given day and may establish other rules and regulations that reasonably ensure public safety, accessibility, and convenience, including but not limited to standards of conduct and supervision. Said Zoological Park shall be free to the public without payment of any general admission fee or gratuity for a period equivalent to 52 days each year, except for the period from 6/12/2020 through 6/30/2022, in which case the said Zoological Park shall be free to the public without payment of any general admission fee or gratuity for a period equivalent to 52 days over the approximately two (2) year period. The Society may otherwise charge an admission fee to said Park not exceeding $40.00 and $24.95 for each visitor from twelve to sixty-five years of age; and not exceeding $17.95 for each visitor ages three to eleven; and not exceeding $19.95 for each visitor sixty-five years of age or older showing proof of birth date. The Society may charge a parking fee not exceeding $30 per vehicle, $14 per car and $20 per bus provided, however, that for the period of time from 4/1/2023 to 3/31/2024, parking rates shall not exceed $20 per vehicle and admission rates shall not exceed the following: $29.95 for each visitor from twelve to sixty-five years of age, $20.95 for each visitor ages three to eleven years of age, and $24.95 for each visitor sixty-five years of age or older showing proof of birthdate. The Society may charge fees not exceeding these limits on a per vehicle basis and may otherwise adjust seasonally and daily to provide for optimal utilization of said Zoological Park. The proceeds of such admission fees and parking fees shall be devoted exclusively to the operation and maintenance of said Zoological Park and the collections therein. Charges may be made at any time pursuant to special services and for admission to special facilities within said Zoological Park for the education, entertainment or convenience of visitors."
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