Please note: this meeting's minutes have not been finalized yet. Actions taken on legislation and their results are not available.
Meeting Name: FPD Board of Commissioners Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 7/1/2025 10:00 AM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois
Issued On: 6/26/2025
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments: To comment on an item on this agenda, click here, Click to Watch Live
File #Ver.Agenda #NameTypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
25-0274 1  Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE CAREER AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF EILEEN FIGEL WHEREAS, Ms. Eileen Figel has served as the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Interim General Superintendent since January 2024 and previously served as the Forest Preserves’ Deputy General Superintendent since July 2014 and has led the nation’s oldest and largest forest preserve district in building a culture of inclusivity and equality; and WHEREAS, Eileen is a member of the American Planning Association and holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor of Arts in Management Science from the University of California San Diego. Prior to joining the Forest Preserves, Eileen served as the founding director for the Institute for Comprehensive Community Development, led an independent consulting practice, and served as former Mayor Daley’s First Deputy Commissioner for the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, and as a municipal planner for the cities of Baltimore, Maryland, Long Beach, California and Highland Park,    Not available Not available
25-0242 1  ReportREPORT 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
25-0273 1  AppointmentPROPOSED APPOINTMENT Appointee(s): Adam D. Bianchi Position: General Superintendent Agency: Forest Preserves of Cook County Effective date: July 25, 2025 Summary: Adam D. Bianchi has been nominated by President Toni Preckwinkle to serve as the General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. ? With over 17 years of experience in public land and natural resource management through the United States Forest Service, Mr. Bianchi brings a strong history of leadership, innovation, and collaborative conservation to the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Mr. Bianchi most recently served as District Ranger for the White River National Forest’s Dillon Ranger District in Colorado, overseeing a complex 312,000-acre National Forest that receives nine million visitors annually. Managing a committed and dedicated workforce, his tenure was marked by strategic land-use planning, expansive community engagement, and successful partnerships that brought in over $3 million in external funding in 2024 alone. Throughout his career, Mr. Bianchi has led major projects integrati   Not available Not available
25-0263 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Law Enforcement Request: Refer to Law Enforcement Committee Report Title: Model Policing Report Period: 1/1/2025 - 6/30/2025 Summary: Report on the status of achieving the goal of a Model Forest Preserves Police Department.   Not available Not available
25-0032 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (“IDOT”) FOR DES PLAINES TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION AND TO PAY IDOT THE LOCAL SHARE OF COSTS WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the ‘Forest Preserves”) is seeking to construct a new pedestrian bridge over active Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Des Plaines, Illinois (the “Project”) for the purpose of improving safety and connectivity in the Des Plaines River Trail in North Cook County; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (“CMAP”) approved a major federal grant through the local Transportation Alternatives (TAP-L) program for 80% of unfunded construction and construction engineering costs, estimated at $4.1 million and $750,000.00, respectively, with such funds to be administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”); and WHEREAS, in 2021, the Forest Preserves became aware of Grade Crossing Protection Funds (“GCPF”) through the Illinois Commerce Commission (“ICC”) and receive   Not available Not available
25-0227 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED SIGNATORIES WHEREAS, the FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY (the “Forest Preserves”) has authorized various banks as depositories of its accounts; and WHEREAS, from time to time, the Forest Preserves may also seek to open lines of credit or purchase appeal bonds from various insurers, bond companies or other institutions to cover the costs of judgments against the Forest Preserves in the event the Forest Preserves, upon Board approval, decides to appeal such judgments; and WHEREAS, the various banks that serve as depositories of the Forest Preserves’ accounts require the manual or facsimile signature of duly elected or appointed Officers of the Forest Preserves for the warrants, checks, drafts or other orders on these accounts; and WHEREAS, the various insurers, bond companies and other institutions with whom the Forest Preserves may seek to open a line of credit, or from whom the Forest Preserves may seek to purchase an appeal bond, may require the manual or facsimile signatures of duly elected or appointed Officers of the Forest   Not available Not available
25-0266 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR RELOCATION OF UTILITIES AND PAY UTILITY RELOCATION AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COSTS RELATED TO DES PLAINES TRAIL BIKE/PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) is seeking to construct a new pedestrian bridge over active Union Pacific Railroad tracks and reconstruct adjacent portions of the Des Plaines River Trail in Des Plaines, Illinois (the “Project”) for the purpose of improving safety and connectivity on the northernmost portion of the Des Plaines River Trail; and WHEREAS, the Project requires relocation of various utilities, including fiber optic line owned by Lumen Technologies, Inc. (“Lumen”) and electric line and facilities owned by Commonwealth Edison (“ComEd”) and requires permits by various regulatory agencies; and WHEREAS, the utility companies require agreements to pay for relocation costs which are estimated at $65,216.72 for relocation of a Lumen fiber optic line and a similar amount for relocation of various ComEd lines, and the Project may requi   Not available Not available
25-0034 1  AgreementPROPOSED AGREEMENT Vendor: Union Pacific Railroad, Omaha, Nebraska Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into an agreement Reason: The Forest Preserves is proposing to build a new pedestrian bridge over active Union Pacific Railroad (“UPRR”) tracks to fill in a gap in the Des Plaines River Trail and is seeking authorization to execute a Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the UPRR to authorize the Forest Preserves to: (1) construct and maintain a pedestrian bridge over UPRR tracks, (2) reimburse the UPRR for its project management, engineering review and construction observation costs related to the new bridge, and (3) acquire a permanent easement for ground and air rights and pay the UPRR the agreed value for the easement. The Agreement is also subject to review and approval by the Illinois Commerce Commission (“ICC”) under its regulatory powers. The Forest Preserves has received preliminary approval by the ICC. A future final ICC order is also anticipated to confirm the award of Grad   Not available Not available
25-0033 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., Lisle, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Phase III engineering services for construction oversight relating to construction of a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad connecting the Des Plaines River Trail from Golf Road to Central Road Contract Value: $690,563.00 Contract Period: 9/1/2025 - 12/1/2027 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY2025 $69,056.30, FY2026 $552,450.40, FY2027 $69,056.30 subject to grant reimbursement of 80% ($552,450.40) or up to $664,980.00 if supplemental GCP funding is approved. Accounts: Professional Services 51009.520830, 51010.520830, 51029.520830, 51033.520830, 51034.520830, 51036.520830; and future Construction and Development accounts Contract Number(s): #74000013936 issued under Project #19-80-67G-24E1 and Solicitation #23-80-010118 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal   Not available Not available
25-0257 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: R.N.O.W., Inc., West Allis, Wisconsin Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Four (4) Loadmaster Electric Refuse Trucks Contract Value: $2,237,884.32 Contract Period: One-time purchase Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $2,237,884.32 Accounts: Vehicle Purchase 51009.560266 and 51010.560266 Contract Number(s): #74000016356 Concurrences: The Vehicle Steering Committee has approved the purchase of the referenced vehicles. The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Attorney have approved this item. Piggyback contract based on a Cooperative Procurement Agreement with no MWBE participation goals. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The Department of Facilities and Fleet received permission from the Vehicle Steering Committee on 6/3/2025 to decommission fifty-three (53) Forest Preserves vehicles due to age, high mileage and condition and purchase twenty-six (26) new replacement vehicles. Authoriz   Not available Not available
25-0261 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: Sutton Ford, Inc., Matteson, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Purchase of fourteen (14) Ford F-series vehicles Contract Value: $761,424.00 Contract Period: One-time purchase Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $761,424.00 Accounts: Vehicle Purchase 51009.560266 Contract Number(s): #74000016386 Concurrences: The Vehicle Steering Committee has approved the purchase of referenced vehicles. The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Attorney have approved this item. Piggyback contract based on a Cooperative Procurement Agreement with no MWBE participation goals. The vendor is a certified Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The Department of Facilities and Fleet received permission from the Vehicle Steering Committee on 6/3/2025 to decommission fifty-three (53) Forest Preserves vehicles due to age, high mileage, and condition and purc   Not available Not available
25-0262 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: Sutton Ford, Inc., Matteson, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Purchase of eight (8) 2025 Ford Explorer Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles Contract Value: $398,696.00 Contract Period: One-time purchase Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $398,696.00 Accounts: Vehicle Purchase 51009.560266 Contract Number(s): #74000016418 Concurrences: The Vehicle Steering Committee has approved the purchase of the referenced vehicles. The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Attorney have approved this item. Piggyback contract based on a Cooperative Procurement Agreement with no MWBE participation goals. The vendor is a certified Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The Department of Facilities and Fleet received permission from the Vehicle Steering Committee on 6/3/2025 to decommission fifty-three (53) Forest Preserves vehicles due to age, h   Not available Not available
25-0269 1  ContractPROPOSED 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): Organic row crop farming at 1001 N. Glenwood Dyer Rd., Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Contract Value: N/A Contract Period: 1/1/2026 - 12/31/2026, with three (3) one-year extension options to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent or their designee Estimated Fiscal Impact: Revenue generation of up to $15,100.00 over four (4) years Accounts: Corporate Land Use Fees 51001.411366 (revenue generating) Contract Number(s): #74000016419 issued under Project #25RM 103-R Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval. District(s): 5 Summary: The Forest Preserves has solicited a contract for row crop production at select sites which were historically used for agricultural purposes prior to acquisition by the Forest Preserves, and as    Not available Not available
25-0270 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Permits, Rentals and Concessions Vendor: SMG Security Holdings LLC, Elk Grove Village, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Keyless Entry System for Off Leash Dog Areas Contract Value: $125,000.00 Contract Period: 7/1/2025 - 6/30/2030 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $40,500.00, FY 2026 $46,000.00, FY 2027 $11,000.00, FY 2028 $11,000.00, FY 2029 $11,000.00, FY 2030 $5,500.00 Accounts: Professional Services 51001.520850 Contract Number(s): #74000016449 Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval. Sole Source contract with no MWBE participation goals. District(s): 1, 6, 14 Summary: The Forest Preserves is seeking authorization to enter into this proposed contract on a sole source basis for the keyless entry system and associated equipment at the Beck Lake (Des Plaines) and Bremen Grove (Tinley Park) Off Leash Dog Areas. Given the custo   Not available Not available
25-0199 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet Vendor: Stenstrom Petroleum Services Group, Rockford, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to increase contract Good(s) or Service(s): Fuel Station Services Original Contract Period: 12/12/2023 - 7/31/2030 Proposed Contract Period Extension: N/A Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $175,000.00 Original Approval: 12/12/2023, $175,000.00 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: $500,000.00 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $50,000.00, FY 2026 $100,000.00, FY 2027 $100,000.00, FY 2028 $100,000.00, FY 2029 $100,000.00, FY 2030 $50,000.00 Accounts: Professional Services 51001.520840 Contract Number(s): #74000013433 (agreement based on State of Illinois Contract #22-416CMS-BOSS4-P-39072) Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval. Piggyback contract based on a State of Illinois (CMS) Agreement with no MWBE participation goals. Distri   Not available Not available
25-0217 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Pacific Construction Services, LLC, Chicago, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend and increase contract Good(s) or Service(s): Construction services to replace existing heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems at the Forest Preserves’ General Headquarters building located in River Forest. Original Contract Period: 6/2/2023 - 7/1/2024; 7/2/2024 - 12/31/2024 (Administrative Extension); 1/1/2025 - 6/30/2025 (Administrative Extension) Proposed Contract Period Extension: 7/1/2025 - 12/31/2025 Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $2,543,699.09 Original Approval: 4/25/2023, $2,355,882.00 Previous Increase(s): $149,220.84 (Administrative Increase); $38,596.25 (Board Item No. 24-0282) This Increase Requested: $81,348.00 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $81,348.00 Accounts: Property Maintenance and Operations 51009.560105, 51010.560105, 51031.560105, 51032.560105, 51033.560105, 51034.560105, 51036.5   Not available Not available
25-0255 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: MYS, Incorporated, Palos Heights, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to increase contract Good(s) or Service(s): Construction contract for bridge repairs at various locations across the Forest Preserves. Original Contract Period: 11/7/2024 - 12/6/2025 Proposed Contract Period Extension: N/A Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $1,282,358.10 Original Approval: 9/19/2024, $1,282,358.10 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: $258,973.12 Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2025 $258,973.12 Accounts: Land Improvements 51009.560019, 51033.560019, 51034.560019 and 51036.560019; and future Construction and Development funds Contract Number(s): #74000014798 issued under Project 22-80-06-24C1R Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval. The Vendor has met the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Ordinance Pro   Not available Not available
25-0264 1  Contract AmendmentPROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENTS Department(s): Department of Planning and Development Vendor: Various Vendors in Pre-Qualified Pool for Construction Cost Estimating Services Contract No. Vendor Name #74000011110 The Concord Consulting Group of Illinois, Inc., Chicago, Illinois #74000011109 GMA Construction, Chicago, Illinois #74000011107 Project Controls Group Inc, St. Louis Missouri #74000011108 Vistara Construction Services Inc., Chicago, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend the Construction Cost Estimating Services contracts Good(s) or Service(s): Construction Estimator Pool Original Contract Period: 7/25/2022 - 7/24/2025 Proposed Contract Period Extension: 7/25/2025 - 7/24/2027 Total Current Contract Amount Authority: Not to Exceed a combined total of $600,000.00 ($150,000.00 for each vendor in pool) Original Approval: 7/25/2022 $600,000.00 Previous Increase(s): N/A This Increase Requested: N/A Estimated Fiscal Impact: Using funds remaining on contracts for each vendor (FY    Not available Not available
25-0086 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Procurement and Disbursement Report Report Period: 5/1/2025 - 5/31/2025 Summary: Submitting the Procurement and Disbursement Report for the period of May 2025. 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
25-0265 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award Report Period: FY 2023 Summary: The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a local government. The award is given by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) upon its review of the Forest Preserves’ Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for FY 2023 (the most recent fiscal year evaluated by the GFOA). The GFOA has awarded the Forest Preserves of Cook County the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for seventeen (17) consecutive years. In order to receive the certificate, a governmental body must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized ACFR. The report must satisfy both accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and applicable legal requirement. Only four (4) Forest Preserve Districts in the entir   Not available Not available
25-0268 1  ReportREPORT Department: Departments of Legal and Finance Request: Receive and File Report Title: Workers’ Compensation Report - May 2025 Report Period: 5/1/2025 - 5/31/2025 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County Departments of Legal and Finance are submitting Workers’ Compensation Claim Payments for the month of May 2025. Payments total $102,507.77 for May 2025.   Not available Not available
25-0271 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Additional ARPA funding Report Period: 12/18/2024 - 12/31/2024 Summary: Per Board Item No. 24-0523, the Forest Preserves of Cook County hereby reports that in 2024 it received additional ARPA funding as sub-awarded from Cook County in the amount of $114,000.00 for general maintenance and upgrades to public facilities relating to project covered by Beneficiary Agreement between the parties (Board Item No. 23-0308).   Not available Not available
25-0260 1  Calendar of EventsPROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 7/1/2025-9/8/2025 Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes. Wednesday, 7/2; 7pm-8:30pm Naturalist Night Out: Owls, Spears Woods, Willow Springs Join us for a themed stroll under the World’s Largest Urban Night Sky Place. For more information, please call (312)533-5751. Wednesday, 7/2; 7:30pm-9:30pm Jewels of the Night: Fireflies, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont Join us for a presentation and nature walk and learn how to identify fireflies. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045. Saturday, 7/5; 10:30am-11:30am Benefits of Beavers, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs The beaver is the largest rodent in Illinois. Join us for a hike to the to the beaver dam on our slough while we discuss its adaptation. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897. Sunday, 7/6; 10am Maps and Compass Walk, Crabtree    Not available Not available