|
Meeting date/time:
|
3/10/2026
10:00 AM
|
Minutes status:
|
Draft
|
|
|
Meeting location:
|
Cook County Building, Board Room,
118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois
Issued On: 3/5/2026
|
|
26-0143
| 1 | | | Consent Calendar Resolution | PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING IRENE FLEBBE, FORMER NATURALIST II AT TRAILSIDE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR 32 YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Irene Flebbe retired from public service to the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) on December 30, 2025, after a distinguished career as a naturalist and in nonformal environmental educator role, including thirty-two (32) years of service to the Forest Preserves of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Flebbe graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and began her Forest Preserves career as a seasonal employee in December 1995 before moving into full-time naturalist roles; and
WHEREAS, for the past nineteen (19) years and nine (9) months, Mrs. Flebbe served as Naturalist II of the Trailside Museum of Natural History, the oldest nature education facility of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, succeeding previous Museum leadership and contributing to the Museum’s mission of connecting the public with local flora and fauna through education and engagement; and
| | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0184
| 1 | | | Consent Calendar Resolution | PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE TENURE AND RETIREMENT OF JEAN FRANCZYK
WHEREAS, Jean M. Franczyk has led the Chicago Botanic Garden since 2016, with a keen awareness that individuals turn to the natural world for restoration and respite; and
WHEREAS, a native Chicagoan, Jean Franczyk spent her childhood gardening alongside her mother, planting an early seed for her interest in the natural world; and
WHEREAS, Jean Franczyk earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by her master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy; and
WHEREAS, Jean Franczyk worked as a part of the Mayor Richard M. Daley administration as well as the Chicago Board of Education as chief of staff; and
WHEREAS, Jean Franczyk joined the Garden after living in London for 11 years, where she was deputy director of the Science Museum with the United Kingdom’s Science Museum Group (SMG); and
WHEREAS, Jean Franczyk holds a firm belief that connecting with nature leads to a happier, he | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0118
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Office of the General Superintendent
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Conservation and Policy Council Monthly Report
Summary: Created in 2014, the Conservation and Policy Council advises the President, Board and the General Superintendent about conservation policies and practices, including the implementation of the Next Century Conservation Plan’s vision of vibrant, ecologically healthy and welcoming forest preserves system.
Each month, a member of the Conservation and Policy Council will provide a verbal report detailing the work that the Conservation and Policy Council is doing as well as their recommendations to the Board regarding policies, practices, and other strategic initiatives of the Forest Preserves. | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0144
| 1 | | | Resolution | PROPOSED RESOLUTION
APPROVING EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND THE ILLINOIS FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LABOR COUNCIL (SERGEANT UNIT)
WHEREAS, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (5 ILCS 315/1 et seq.) has established regulations regarding collective bargaining with a union; and
WHEREAS, a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (Sergeant Unit) is currently in effect for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 covering Sergeants in the Law Enforcement Department of the Forest Preserves (Board Item No. 24-0310); and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (Sergeant Unit) have negotiated an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (Sergeant Unit) through December 31, 2027.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0161
| 1 | | OCA - Open Recommendations Report for Forest Preserve District of Cook County to Board of Commissioners | Report | REPORT
Department: Office of the County Auditor
Request: Refer to Audit Committee
Report Title: OCA - Open Recommendations Report for Forest Preserve District of Cook County to Board of Commissioners
Report Period: August 2025 - January 2026
Summary: This report was designed to communicate the status of Open Recommendations regarding the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0167
| 1 | | | License Request | PROPOSED LICENSE REQUEST
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”), as Licensor to grant a license to ComEd, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain 1,806 feet of new 4” conduit and cable, directional bored within the 95th Street/Archer Avenue intersection right-of-way (ROW), in the vicinity of Red Gate Woods. This new line is to replace an existing overhead line of similar length with the same end points that needs to be moved for the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) intersection reconstruction project that is scheduled to start in the spring. There was no existing license for the existing line which is entirely within IDOT road right-of-way.
Term: Ten (10) years
License Fee: $60,946.28
License Application Fee: $1,500.00
Review Fee: $3,000.00
YELAR Fee: $7,350.00
Total one-time upfront fee of $72,796.28 for the term of the License (Sec. 5-2A-4 and 5-2B-4)
Tree Mitigation Fee: N/A
The area of the License is: 0.6219 Acre(s)
Concurrence(s): The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final lic | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0168
| 1 | | | License Request | PROPOSED LICENSE REQUEST
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”), as Licensor to grant a License to ComEd, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain approximately 482 feet of existing electric line overhead on newly installed power poles on the north side of Dundee Road in Palatine, to accommodate an Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) road improvement project. The road improvement project includes reconstruction of the road over a culvert and a new 8-foot-wide shared use path and retaining wall on the south side of Dundee Road within the existing road right of way (ROW). The proposed location of the overhead electric line would require removal of eight (8) trees, resulting in tree mitigation fees. In practice, more trees may need to be removed than originally estimated. Any increase in the tree mitigation fee will be in accordance with the Tree Mitigation Plan (see Board Item No. 20-0279), and if such increase is more than 20% of the original estimate, then approval will be sought from the Forest Preserves of Coo | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0169
| 1 | | | Easement Request | EASEMENT REQUEST
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to grant a permanent and a temporary easement to the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) at Des Plaines River Road north of Foster Avenue in Schiller Park for 0.501 acres or 21,823 square feet.
Reason: IDOT is seeking to address safety and the potential collapse of the road into the Des Plaines River and improve pedestrian safety. The permanent easement is for construction and maintenance of a retaining wall, rip rap, a new sidewalk and other related improvements described in the plans and specifications. The temporary easement will be used for construction access. The work would require removal of sixteen (16) living or dead trees, resulting in tree mitigation fees. In practice, more trees may need to be removed than originally estimated. Any increase in the tree mitigation fee will be in accordance with the Tree Mitigation Plan (see Board Item No. 20-0279), and if such increase is more than 20% of the original estimate, then approval will be sought from | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0020
| 1 | | | Grant Award | PROPOSED GRANT AWARD
Department: Department of Resource Management
Grantee: Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”)
Grantor: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ("DCEO"), Springfield, Illinois
Request: Authorization to accept grant
Purpose: Authorization is sought for the Forest Preserves to accept grant and enter into a grant agreement with DCEO for Conservation Corps programming.
Grant Amount: $709,500.00
Grant Period: 1/1/2026 (retroactive) - 6/30/2027
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Accounts: Professional Services 51036.520840; Grant and Mitigation 51010.521314 and 51010.521444; and all future Professional Services accounts
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final agreement is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): Districtwide
Summary: The Forest Preserves has been awarded $709,500.00 in grant funding from the DCEO to support the participation of one hundred twenty-nine (129) participants in adult and high school-aged summer youth programs, including but not limited to the Greencorps | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0138
| 2 | | | License Renewal | PROPOSED LICENSE RENEWAL REQUEST
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”), as Licensor to renew a License to Laurence A. and Kathryn L. Smith, 1045 Forest Hills Avenue, Calumet City, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain an existing brick two (2) car detached garage and driveway. The garage was constructed around 1936 and encroaches on Forest Preserves property by 7 feet, the driveway by 10.9 feet. The Smiths acquired their property in 1978 and continue to occupy and maintain the structures. A 10-year residential hardship license (License #1748) was approved by the Board of Commissioners on 9/8/2015 (Board Item No. 15-0414).
In 2014, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amendment authorizing residential hardship licenses via Title 2, Section 2-3-1(D) of the Forest Preserves Code of Ordinances. As described in some detail in the Forest Preserves Land Use Code (see Title 2, Section 2-5-1), the Forest Preserves’ authority to issue licenses as a non-home rule entity is limited to mission related a | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0139
| 1 | | | License Renewal | PROPOSED LICENSE RENEWAL REQUEST
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”), as Licensor to renew a License to Sophia Tarka, 315 Mason Street, Calumet City, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain an existing detached single car garage structure and driveway. The garage was constructed around 1954 and encroaches on Forest Preserves property by 4.6 feet, the driveway by 8 feet. Ms. Tarka acquired her property in 2008 and continues to occupy and maintain the garage and driveway. A 10-year residential hardship license (License #1747) was approved by the Board of Commissioners on 9/8/2015 (Board Item No. 15-0413).
In 2014, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amendment authorizing residential hardship licenses via Title 2, Section 2-3-1(D) of the Forest Preserves Code of Ordinances. As described in some detail in the Forest Preserves Land Use Code (see Title 2, Section 2-5-1), the Forest Preserves’ authority to issue licenses as a non-home rule entity is limited to mission related and other purposes s | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0172
| 1 | | | Intergovernmental Agreement | PROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Department: Department of Facilities and Fleet
Other Part(ies): Illinois Finance Authority, Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization is sought for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Finance Authority (the “Authority”).
Goods or Services: Installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at five (5) locations within the Forest Preserves.
Agreement Number(s): N/A
Agreement Period: 3/10/2026- 10/1/2032
Fiscal Impact: Not to exceed 20% cost share or $90,000.00 for the installation expenses.
Accounts: 51033.540250 Automotive Operations
District(s): 4, 6, 14, 16
Summary: This proposed Intergovernmental Agreement with the Authority would allow for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at five locations: Cermak Aquatic Center (Lyons), George Dunne Golf Course (Oak Forest), Green Lake Aquatic Center (Calumet City), Camp Reinberg (Palatine), and River Trail Nature Center (Northbrook) via the Authority’s Community Charging | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0152
| 1 | | | Contract | PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet
Vendor: Ferrellgas, L.P., Melrose Park, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Supply and delivery of liquid propane
Contract Value: $1,425,000.00
Contract Period: 5/1/2026 - 4/30/2031
Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2026 $166,155.00, FY 2027 $285,000.00, FY 2028 $285,000.00, FY 2029 $285,000.00, FY 2030 $285,000.00, FY 2031 $118,845.00
Accounts: Propane Gas and Heating 51001.530261
Contract Number(s): #74000017751 issued under Project 25-53-013042
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval.
The contract-specific Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise goal for this contract was set at zero.
District(s): Districtwide
Summary: The proposed contract is to supply and deliver liquid propane to the Forest Preserves for facilities and vehicle use, for a period of five (5) years. Propane is domestically produc | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0160
| 1 | | | Contract | PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Department of Resource Management
Vendor: Smits Farms, Inc., Chicago Heights, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Agricultural row crop farming at 290 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road, Glenwood, IL 60425 and 21695 Torrence Avenue, Sauk Village, IL 60411
Contract Value: N/A
Contract Period: 3/10/2026 - 12/31/2026, with one (1) one-year extension option to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent or their designee
Estimated Fiscal Impact: Revenue generation of up to $20,381.40 over two (2) years
Accounts: Corporate Land Use Fees 51001.411366 (revenue generating)
Contract Number(s): #74000017750 issued under Project #25RM 121
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): 5, 6
Summary: The Forest Preserves has solicited a contract for row crop production at 290 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road in Glenwood and 21695 Torrence Avenue in Sauk Villa | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0170
| 1 | | | Contract | PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Department of Planning and Development
Vendor: Commonwealth Edison Company (“ComEd”), Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Electric facilities and equipment to serve the Forest Preserves premises located at Camp Reinberg, 1801 N. Quentin Road in Palatine, Illinois
Contract Value: N/A
Contract Period: 3/10/2026 - Until Terminated
Estimated Fiscal Impact: N/A
Accounts: N/A
Contract Number(s): N/A
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s):14
Summary: The Forest Preserves has been working on updating the electricity at Camp Reinberg’s main dining hall building. The project was originally approved by the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners on 7/1/2025 (Board Item No. 25-0214). ComEd requires the Forest Preserves to enter into an Electric Facilities Service Acknowledgment agreement, along with ancillary agreemen | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0171
| 1 | | | Contract Amendment | PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Department of Planning and Development
Vendor: Interface Engineering, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend contract
Good(s) or Service(s): Professional Services to provide architectural and engineering design and construction administration services for a new heating and air conditioning system for the Forest Preserves’ General Headquarters in River Forest.
Original Contract Period: 12/15/2021 - 3/14/2025; 3/15/2025 - 3/14/2026 (Administrative Extension)
Proposed Contract Period Extension: 3/15/2026 - 12/15/2026
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $390,238.00
Original Approval: 12/14/2021, $184,846.00
Previous Increase(s): 3/25/2022, $17,450.00 (Administrative Increase); 4/5/2022, $55,215.00 (Board Approval); 2/7/2023, $74,989.00 (Board Approval); 8/27/2025, $19,128.00 (Administrative Increase); and 9/9/2025, $38,610.00 (Board Approval)
This Increase Requested: N/A
Estimated Fiscal Impact: N/A
Accounts: Professional Services 5 | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0174
| 1 | | | Contract Amendment | PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Permits, Rentals and Concessions
Vendor: JBS Swallow Cliff, LLC, formerly known as (f/k/a) Juiced by Shic, Midlothian, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend and amend contract
Good(s) or Service(s): Management of the Swallow Cliff concession facility
Original Contract Period: 5/8/2023 - 5/8/2026
Proposed Contract Period Extension: 5/9/2026 - 5/8/2028
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: N/A (Revenue Generating)
Original Approval: N/A
Previous Increase(s): N/A
This Increase Requested: N/A
Estimated Fiscal Impact:(Revenue Generating) Base fee of $4,400.00 and 16% of gross sales for the 2026 term and a Base fee of $5,000.00 with 18% of gross sales for the 2027 term.
Accounts: 51001.411316
Contract Number(s): #74000012170
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract amendment is subject to legal review and approval.
District(s): 17
Summary: The Forest Preserves entered into an agreement with Juiced by Shic, LLC (“ | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0159
| 1 | | | Previously Approved Item Amendment | PROPOSED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ITEM AMENDMENT
Department: Department of Planning and Development
Request: This item amends a previously approved resolution to allow the General Superintendent to extend a grant agreement with IDNR in order for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to receive final grant payments.
Item Number: 24-0372
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Account(s): Revenue 51010.411437
District(s): 15
Original Text of Item: RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDS
WHEREAS, on 1/26/2021, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the acceptance of $750,000.00 in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Museum Capital Grant program (Board Item No. 21-0101) to improve the Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington Hills; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s (“Forest Preserves”) Department of Planning and Development successfully completed this grant project in 2023, improving the nature center’s accessibility and energy efficiency and updating its exhibits and sign | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0025
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Department of Finance and Administration
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Procurement and Disbursement Report
Report Period: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026
Summary: Submitting the Procurement and Disbursement Report for the period of January 2026. The report is to be received and filed in compliance with Section 1-8-2 (BB) of the District’s Code of Ordinances. | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0158
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Departments of Legal and Finance
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Workers’ Compensation Report - January 2026
Report Period: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026
Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County Departments of Legal and Finance are submitting Workers’ Compensation Claim Payments for the month of January 2026. Payments total $156,027.26 for January 2026. | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0166
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Department of Finance and Administration
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Additional ARPA funding
Report Period: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
Summary: Per Board Item No. 25-0317, the Forest Preserves of Cook County hereby reports that in 2025 it received additional ARPA funding as sub-awarded from Cook County in the amount of $5,180,000.00 for land acquisition, to supplement prior award as authorized by the Board of Commissioners pursuant to Board Item No. 22-0289. | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0173
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Permits, Rentals and Concessions
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: 2025 Concessions Annual Report
Report Period: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
Summary: On 3/15/2022, the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) Concessions Ordinance (Board Item No. 22-0126) (the “Ordinance”). Under the Ordinance, the Forest Preserves is authorized to grant certain concession-related permits and contracts. To assist with this process, the Forest Preserves implemented a Concessions Policy (Policy Number: 05.00.00) establishing the criteria by which the Forest Preserves will issue permits and contracts for concession opportunities to increase and improve visitor engagement by providing the public with access to complementary recreational activities, amenities and services while also generating revenue to support the mission of the Forest Preserves.
The Ordinance requires an annual report to the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners on concession-related permits and cont | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0175
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Office of the General Superintendent
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Resident Watchman Annual Report
Report Period: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
Summary: This report is required per Section 1-9-3 (Fees and Occupancy of District Lands) of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Code of Ordinances. The report provides names, job titles, and salaries of employees who occupied property within the Resident Watchman Program for fiscal year 2025 and includes other program-related information. | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
26-0154
| 1 | | | Calendar of Events | PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 3/10/2026 - 4/13/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 3/11; 1pm
Everyone in Nature, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join a sensory class where individuals with disabilities and homeschoolers can learn about nature. Participants must be with an adult. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 3/14; 1pm
Nature Walk: Women’s History Month, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can enjoy a spring walk while learning about women who made an impact in nature conservation. For more information, please call (630)257-2045.
Sunday, 3/15; 11am-3pm
Maple Syrup Festival, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a special day of activities including crafts, games | | |
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
|