Meeting Details
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Meeting date/time:
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5/5/2026
10:00 AM
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Minutes status:
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Draft
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Meeting location:
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Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, South Western Ave & West 87th St, Chicago, Illinois
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26-0260
| 1 | | Honoring the contributions of the labor movement | Consent Calendar Resolution | PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN THE FIELD OF CONSERVATION
WHEREAS, International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day and celebrated annually on May 1st, has its roots in Chicago and commemorates the historic struggle of workers who have organized for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the eight-hour workday; and
WHEREAS, although May Day began in industrial spaces, labor rights movements have since grown to account for workers in the fields of agriculture, land preservation, environmental education, and conservation; and
WHEREAS, the Forests Preserves of Cook County is a great source of pride for the county, standing as a pillar of ecological restoration, environmental education, recreation, and protection of wildlife and nature; and
WHEREAS, the Preserves would not be able to maintain its 70,000 acres of land without its dedicated 1,600 annual employees - including policy experts, ecologists, administrative workers, programming and education specialists, maintenance workers, restorationists, on the field workers, first r | | |
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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. | | |
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26-0246
| 2 | | | Appointment | PROPOSED APPOINTMENT
Appointee(s): Adam Bianchi, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Position: Public Building Commissioner
Department/Board/Commission: Public Building Commission
Effective date: 7/1/2026
Expiration date: 9/30/2027 | | |
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26-0243
| 1 | | | Ordinance | PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE A FOREST PRESERVE NEAR ORLAND GRASSLAND
AN ORDINANCE CREATING A FOREST PRESERVE in part of Section 21, Township 36 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, all in Cook County, Illinois near Orland Grassland in District 17.
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois (the “District”), pursuant to the statutes in such case made and provided, has from time to time acquired by purchase, condemnation, gift, grant, devise, or otherwise, lands necessary and desirable for District purposes containing one or more natural forests or parts thereof, or lands connecting such forests or parts thereof, or lands capable of being reforested for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora, fauna, and scenic beauties within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, and to restore, restock, protect, and preserve the natural forests and said lands together with their flora and fauna, as nearly as may be, in their natural state and condition, for the purpose of the education, ple | | |
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26-0244
| 1 | | | Acquisition of Real Estate | PROPOSED PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE
Department(s): Legal Department
Other Part(ies): Marquette Bank, As Trustee Under Trust #30971, Dated 12/7/22 (Owner of Record)
Request: It is respectfully requested that this proposed purchase be approved.
Description of Real Estate: 9750 167th St, Orland Hills, Cook County, Illinois
Section: N/A
Parcel(s): 27-21-402-008-0000
THE EAST ½ OF THE EAST ½ OF THE EAST ½ OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 21, TOWNSHIP 36 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
SAID PARCEL CONTAINING 217,800 SQUARE FEET, OR 5.00 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.
Fiscal Impact: $600,000.00 purchase price plus closing costs up to $10,000.00 (up to $610,000.00 in total).
Accounts: Real Estate and Land Acquisition Fund 51006.560010
District(s): 17
Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) has identified a parcel of land for acquisition that would add to the Forest Preserves’ current holdings near Orland Grassland (the “Property”). The Property, commonly known as 9750 167th St, Or | | |
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26-0234
| 1 | | | Intergovernmental Agreement | PROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Department: Planning and Development Department
Other Part(ies): Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the Barrington Hills Park District (“BHPD”)
Goods or Services: Maintenance of Trails and Equestrian Facilities in the Spring Lake Preserve by BHPD; Conveyance of access easement from BHPD to the Forest Preserves
Agreement Number(s): IGA #26-0234
Agreement Period: 7/11/2026-7/10/2031, with three (3) options to extend for five (5) years each to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Accounts: N/A
District(s): 15
Summary: The Barrington Hills Park District and the Forest Preserves have overlapping constituencies and wish to provide valuable recreational facilities and programs to others in the most efficient and cost-effective manner as possible. The BHPD has been maintaining trails and equestrian event facilities | | |
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26-0236
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Department of Finance and Administration
Request: Refer to Contract Compliance Committee
Report Title: Forest Preserves of Cook County Annual Business Diversity Report FY 2025
Report Period: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
Summary: In July 2012, state legislation authorized the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to establish provisions to address the underuse of Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses with respect to procurement contracts. An ordinance establishing the program’s parameters and guidelines was passed in 2012 and amended in subsequent years by the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners. To remedy historic inequity and to facilitate greater inclusion, the Forest Preserves established aspirational contract goals for the participation of Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses as set forth under the Forest Preserves of Cook County Code of Ordinances. | | |
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26-0230
| 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 Nicor Gas Company (“Nicor”), Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain approximately 754 feet of existing gas main with new main along the east side of Rand Road from the Des Plaines River to the southeast for approximately 700 feet. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is re-building Rand Road, and Nicor’s gas lines need to be relocated to accommodate that construction. The existing mains are licensed under License #837. An original relocation plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners in 2024 (Board Item No. 24-0299 for License #1806), but the license agreement was never signed due to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restrictions on impacts to an existing and nearby levee (Levee #50). The original plan was subsequently revised to shorten the main and shift the proposed bore pit approximately 150 feet to the west to avoid the levee. The shift would impact fourteen (14) trees, requiring payment of mitigation fees. | | |
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26-0210
| 1 | | | Contract | PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Department of Finance and Administration
Vendor: ODP Business Solutions, LLC, Boca Raton, Florida
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Purchase of Districtwide Office Supplies and Products
Contract Value: $500,000.00
Contract Period: 5/5/2026 - 8/12/2027 with two (2), two-year renewal options to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent and renewal of the underlying contract.
Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2026 $75,000.00, FY 2027 $75,000.00, FY 2028 $100,000.00 (optional), FY 2029 $100,000.00 (optional), FY 2030 $100,000.00 (optional), FY 2031 $50,000.00 (optional)
Accounts: Office Supplies 51001.530605, 51001.530600, and all future Office Supplies accounts, Supplies and Materials 51001.530252, 51001.530607, 510001.530267, and all future Supplies and Materials accounts, Institutional Supplies 51001.530188, 51001.530170, and all future Institutional Supplies accounts, Special or Coops Programs, 51001.521312, Mighty Acorns (Y | | |
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26-0242
| 1 | | | Contract | PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Departments of Legal and Finance
Vendor: Aon Risk Services Central, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Insurance Brokerage Services (Property)
Contract Value: Not to Exceed $1,500,000.00
Contract Period: 5/5/2026 - 2/28/2031 with two (2), two-year renewal options to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent pending extension of the underlying Cook County contract
Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2026 $150,000.00, FY 2027 $150,000.00, FY 2028 $150,000.00, FY 2029 $150,000.00, FY 2030 $150,000.00, FY 2031 $175,000.00 (optional), FY 2032 $175,000.00 (optional), FY 2033 $200,000.00 (optional), FY 2034 $200,000.00 (optional)
Accounts: Self-Insurance, Other Expense 51011.700005
Contract Number(s): #74000018151 (Cook County Contract No. 2523-02063)
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract is subject to legal review and approval.
The Minority- and Women-Owned Bu | | |
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26-0223
| 1 | | | Contract Amendment | PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Department of Planning and Development
Vendor: Fabex Technologies, LLC, Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (“Forest Preserves”) to extend contract
Good(s) or Service(s): Construction services at Forest Preserves General Headquarters
Original Contract Period: 5/23/2024 - 5/18/2025; 5/19/2025 - 5/18/2026 (Administrative Extension)
Proposed Contract Period Extension: 5/19/2026-5/18/2027
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $2,096,816.56
Original Approval: 4/16/2024, $2,096,816.56
Previous Increase(s): N/A
This Increase Requested: N/A
Estimated Fiscal Impact: N/A
Accounts: Property Maintenance and Operations 51009.560105, 51032.560105, 51033.560105 and 51034.560105, 51036.560105, 51037.560105 and future Construction and Development accounts
Contract Number(s): #74000013938 issued under Project #23-80-13, Solicitation 24-80-100224
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract amendment is subject to legal review and ap | | |
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26-0237
| 1 | | | Contract Amendment | PROPOSED 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 and extend 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; 12/7/2025 - 6/6/2026 (Administrative Extension)
Proposed Contract Period Extension: 6/7/2026 - 12/7/2026
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $1,541,331.22
Original Approval: 9/19/2024, $1,282,358.10
Previous Increase(s): 7/7/2025, $258,973.12
This Increase Requested: $182,652.70
Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2026 $182,652.70
Accounts: Land Improvement 51009.560019, 51033.560019, 51034.560019, 51036.560019, 51037.560019 and future Construction and Development accounts
Contract Number(s): Contract #74000014798 issued under Project #22-80-06-24C1R
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final contract amendment | | |
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26-0029
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Department of Finance and Administration
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Procurement and Disbursement Report
Report Period: 3/1/2026 - 3/31/2026
Summary: Submitting the Procurement and Disbursement Report for the period of March 2026. The report is to be received and filed in compliance with Section 1-8-2 (BB) of the District’s Code of Ordinances. | | |
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26-0191
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Department of Finance and Administration
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award
Report Period: FY 2024
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 2024 (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 eighteen (18) 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 requirements. | | |
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26-0241
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
Department: Departments of Legal and Finance
Request: Receive and File
Report Title: Workers’ Compensation Report - March 2026
Report Period: 3/1/2026 - 3/31/2026
Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County Departments of Legal and Finance are submitting Workers’ Compensation Claim Payments for the month of March 2026. Payments total $222,871.28 for March 2026. | | |
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26-0238
| 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 5/5/2026 - 6/8/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Thursday, 5/7; 10am & 2 pm
Spring Tree ID Walk, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can enjoy a guided walk and learn how to identify trees in spring. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Friday, 5/8; 9am-11am
Conservation at Home: Native Plant Gardening 101, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Participants can learn how to grow and maintain their native plant garden. Native plants and seeds will be available. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Friday, 5/8; 7pm
America’s 250th History Hike, Swallow Cliff Pavilion, Palos Park
Join us on a hike that explores the stories that shaped our land, people and nation. This event is presented with the Department of Recreation and Parks for the Village of Palos Park. For more information, p | | |
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