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PROPOSED GRANT AWARD AMENDMENT
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Grantee: Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”)
Grantor: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”), Springfield, Illinois
Request: Authorization to extend previously approved grant agreement.
Purpose: Authorization is sought for the Forest Preserves to extend the previously approved grant agreement. The Grant is with IDNR for a project funded through Coastal Management Program grant, to develop an inclusive Community Engagement Plan and to install a series of wayfinding and interpretative signs at Eggers Grove located in Chicago, Illinois. There is a need to extend the project because while the project agreement was fully signed on 2/16/2022 and received by the Forest Preserves on 3/1/2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) environmental review was not completed until 7/8/2022. IDNR recommended the Forest Preserves apply for an extension.
Grant Amount: $150,000.00
Grant Period: 2/1/2022 - 10/1/2023
Proposed Grant Extension: 10/1/2023 - 5/31/2024
Fiscal Impact: Original: $150,740.00 (not to exceed $80,000.00 in direct match and $70,740.00 in in-kind support); there is no additional impact with this extension.
Accounts: Professional Services 51010.520830 and 51001.520830; Land Improvement 51010.560019 and 51009.560019; and various grant accounts
Date of Previous Board Authorization for Grant: 1/11/2022
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final grant amendment is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): 4
Summary: Requesting authorization to extend the grant agreement through May 2024. The grant award supports the Forest Preserves in its inclusive community outreach efforts to develop a Community Engagement Plan and to install a series of wayfinding and interpretative signs at Eggers Grove. This 240-acre site is one (1) of only a handful of forest preserves located within the City of Chicago, but despite this, and the remarkable nature and outdoor recreation opportunities it offers, the site is currently underutilized. The proposed activities will be designed to build awareness of these assets and increase use, and appreciation of, Eggers Grove. The original grant agreement deadline was October 1, 2023. IDNR encouraged the Forest Preserves to apply for an extension due to the NOAA environmental review process taking longer than expected.
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