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: 1/13/2026 10:00 AM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Cook County Building, Board Room, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois
Issued On: 1/8/2026
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available  
Agenda packet: Not available
Meeting video:  
Attachments: Click to Watch Live, To comment on an item on this agenda, click here, PUBLIC SPEAKERS - FOREST PRESERVE DISTRCT COOK COUNTY BOARD MEETING - 1.13.2026
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26-0001 1  Consent Calendar ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY’S BUSSE FOREST NATURE PRESERVE FOR RECEIVING A CHICAGO WILDERNESS EXCELLENCE IN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION ACCREDITATION, AND THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY’S POWDERHORN LAKE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT FOR RECEIVING A CHICAGO WILDERNESS FORCE OF NATURE AWARD WHEREAS, on October 22, 2025, the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Busse Forest Nature Preserve was honored with a Platinum Accreditation, the highest level possible, from the Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Ecological Restoration Accreditation Program, and the Forest Preserves’ Powderhorn Lake Habitat Restoration project was honored with a Chicago Wilderness George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award at a ceremony at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, Illinois; and WHEREAS, the Excellence in Ecological Restoration Accreditation Program recognizes the organization’s management of the largest and highest-quality natural areas in the Chicago region and highlights projects that set an example of best practices in natural resource management and ecological r   Not available Not available
26-0118 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
26-0010 1  ResolutionPROPOSED 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 (POLICE OFFICER 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 (Police Officer Unit) is currently in effect for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 covering Police Officers in the Law Enforcement Department of the Forest Preserves (Board Item Nos. 23-0523 and 24-0309); and WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (Police Officer 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 (Police Officer Unit) through December 31, 202   Not available Not available
26-0011 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND THE SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL & TRANSPORTATION WORKERS (SMART), LOCAL NO. 73 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 Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers (SMART), Local No. 73 is currently in effect for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 (Board Item Nos. 22-0128, 22-0497 and 24-0249); and WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves and the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers (SMART), Local No. 73 have negotiated an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers (SMART), Local No. 73 through December 31, 2027. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Bo   Not available Not available
26-0012 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 134 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 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134 is currently in effect for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 (Board Item Nos. 22-0131, 22-0497 and 24-0248); and WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134 have negotiated an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134 through December 31, 2027. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves, with re   Not available Not available
26-0013 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES DISTRICT COUNCIL #14 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 International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #14 is currently in effect for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 (Board Item Nos. 22-0130, 22-0497 and 24-0247); and WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves and the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #14 have negotiated an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County and International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #14 through December 31, 2027. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Prese   Not available Not available
26-0014 1  ResolutionPROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY AND THE CHICAGO JOURNEYMEN PLUMBERS LOCAL UNION 130, U.A. 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 Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130, U.A. is currently in effect for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 (Board Item Nos. 22-0129, 22-0497 and 24-0246); and WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves and the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130, U.A. have negotiated an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130, U.A. through December 31, 2027. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves, with respect to such above-referenced Colle   Not available Not available
26-0015 1  Miscellaneous Item of BusinessPROPOSED MISCELLANEOUS ITEM OF BUSINESS Department: Office of the General Superintendent Good(s) or Service(s): Advertising and Promotional Services Fiscal Impact: $300,000.00 per year for up to two (2) years, for a total of $600,000.00 Accounts: Advertising and Promotional Services 51001.520610 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) is requesting authorization for the General Superintendent or a designee to have discretionary spending up to $300,000.00 per year for up to two (2) years, totaling up to $600,000.00, beginning March 1, 2026, and ending February 29, 2028, for advertising and promotional services with a variety of media vendors to promote and showcase the amenities, programs and natural areas of the Forest Preserves. The media vendors would be engaged for periods of one (1) year or less. Media purchases would align with the communications goals of the Forest Preserves, which include focused geographic and demographic outreach to communities in Cook County that have been identified by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning as    Not available Not available
26-0005 1  License RequestPROPOSED 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, Grantee, to locate, operate and maintain a 4-inch gas main, the total length of which is 2,728 linear feet of pipe on Forest Preserves land, including 2,112 feet on land designated for the operation of a zoo by the Chicago Zoological Society (“Zoo-designated land”) and the remaining 616 feet outside Zoo-designated land. At the standard license width of 15 feet, the license area is 0.21 acre(s) outside Zoo-designated land and 0.73 acre(s) inside Zoo-designated land. Historically, the Zoo has had the autonomy to allow utility infrastructure installation deemed essential to its operation and maintenance without going through the Forest Preserves’ license approval process. Due to part of the licensed area being outside Zoo-designated land, this license request is being submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval. License fees are only being charged for the portion of the gas main which will be located o   Not available Not available
26-0004 1  AgreementPROPOSED AGREEMENT Vendor: Memory Lane Stables, Inc., Willow Springs, Illinois Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into a parking and trail connection use agreement Reason: The Forest Preserves currently owns Buffalo Woods, a forest preserve on the east side of Willow Springs. Buffalo Woods surrounds the property owned by Memory Lane Stables, Inc. (“Memory Lane”), a small business that provides primarily equestrian services in the area, including horse rides through Buffalo Woods. Memory Lane is seeking authorization to utilize a small gravel lot, just west of Kean Avenue on Forest Preserves property, for patron parking, as well as a small trail connection directly to the west of its property to stage its horses and access the designated equestrian trail (approximately 3,660 square feet for both areas). The proposed agreement would allow for nonexclusive parking on and access to the small parking area and use of the trail connection by Memory Lane after the payment of the permit fees below. It would also requ   Not available Not available
26-0003 1  ContractPROPOSED CONTRACT Department(s): Department of Landscape Maintenance Vendor: Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC, Rosemont, Illinois Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into and execute Good(s) or Service(s): Provide Refuse and Recycling Disposal Sites Districtwide Contract Value: $900,000.00 Contract Period: 3/1/2026 - 2/28/2029, with one (1) two-year extension option to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2026 $140,000.00, FY 2027 $171,000.00, FY 2028 $178,000.00, FY 2029 $185,000.00, FY 2030 $193,000.00 (Optional), FY 2031 $33,000.00 (Optional) Accounts: Scavenger and Material 51001.520050 Contract Number(s): #74000017429 issued under RFP 26-52-0001 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 to zero. District(s): Districtwide Summary: The Forest Preserves would like to contract wit   Not available Not available
26-0007 1  ReportREPORT Department: Departments of Legal and Finance Request: Receive and File Report Title: Workers’ Compensation Report - November 2025 Report Period: 11/1/2025 - 11/30/2025 Summary: The Forest Preserves of Cook County Departments of Legal and Finance are submitting Workers’ Compensation Claim Payments for the month of November 2025. Payments total $75,789.39 for November 2025.   Not available Not available
26-0008 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Procurement and Disbursement Report Report Period: 11/1/2025 - 11/30/2025 Summary: Submitting the Procurement and Disbursement Report for the period of November 2025. This 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
26-0115 1 Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Plan for Forest Preserve District of Cook CountyReportREPORT Department: Office of the County Auditor Request: Refer to Audit Committee Report Title: Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Plan for Forest Preserve District of Cook County Report Period: Fiscal Year 2026 Summary: Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Plan for Forest Preserve District of Cook County   Not available Not available
26-0002 1 PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMMINGCalendar of EventsPROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 1/13/2026-2/2/2026 Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes. Wednesday, 1/14; 11am-2pm Crafternoon: Snow Inspired Art, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest Drop-in and let the winter landscape inspire you. Participants can create different arts and crafts. This program is suitable for people of all abilities. For more information, please call (312)533-5751. Wednesday, 1/14; 4:30pm-6:30pm Winter Waterland, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest Drop-in and learn about the water cycle and freshwater ecology through water quality testing and activities. For more information, please call (312)533-5751. Thursdays, 1/15 - 2/26; 4pm-8pm Winter Open Climb, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest Patrons can scale Camp Sullivan’s indoor climbing wall. Registration required. Participants must weigh over 40 pounds and sign a waiver   Not available Not available
25-0423 1  Partnership AgreementPROPOSED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into a Partnership Agreement with the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) and the Beverly Area Arts Alliance (the “Alliance”) for the preservation, restoration, operation and long-term maintenance of the Eugene S. Pike House located at 1826 W. 91st Street, Chicago, Illinois (the “Pike House”). Reason: This former watchman residence that was built in 1894 has fallen into disrepair and requires significant expenditure to restore the building. Under the proposed agreement, the building and adjacent yard area, approximately 0.3 acres (the “Licensed Area”), would be restored and maintained by the Foundation and the Alliance as a community center at no cost to the Forest Preserves for uses that support the Forest Preserves mission by providing nature-based education, recreation and cultural opportunities. The critical repairs necessary to stabilize and preserve the Pike House would need to be completed by the Foundation wit   Not available Not available
25-0424 1  Easement RequestEASEMENT REQUEST Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to grant a temporary easement to the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) at Forestway Drive for 0.1250 acre or 5,445 square feet for road improvements. Construction is expected to require removal of six (6) trees. 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 Cook County Board of Commissioners. Reason: The request includes the granting of two (2) small temporary easement areas on either side of Forestway Drive to allow re-construction of the underlying culvert built in 1937 that is very worn and in disrepair. Work in the temporary easement areas would include some excavation and erosion control measures. The Forest Preserves would be responsible for long-term maintenance of the propose   Not available Not available
26-0122 2  Journal of ProceedingsJOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS SECRETARY TO THE BOARD, Lynne M. Turner, presented in printed form a record of the Journal of Proceedings of the regular meeting held on 12/16/2025.   Not available Not available
26-0006 1  Recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee (Litigation)RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE (LITIGATION) Finance Subcommittee Meeting on Litigation -1/13/2026 The Finance Subcommittee on Litigation met on the above listed date and recommends the following for approval: Proposed Settlements Approved Fiscal Year 2026 to Present: $0.00 Proposed Settlements to Be Approved: $0.00 Legal Fees Approved Fiscal Year 2026 to Present: $0.00 Legal Fees for 1/13/2026 to Be Approved: $34,708.81   Not available Not available
26-0009 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Finance and Administration Request: Receive and File Report Title: Corporate Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenditures. Report Period: 1/1/2025 - 11/30/2025 Summary: Detailed Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenditures for November 2025.   Not available Not available
25-0418 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Law Enforcement Request: Refer to Law Enforcement Committee Report Title: Model Policing Report Period: 7/1/2025 - 12/31/2025 Summary: Report on the status of achieving the goal of a Model Forest Preserves Police Department   Not available Not available
25-0400 1  ReportREPORT Department: Department of Planning and Development Request: Refer to Capital Development & Ecological Restoration Committee Report Title: 2026 Update to the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan Report Period: Five (5) Years, 2026-2030 Summary: This report is an annual update of capital improvement projects and funding needs for the next five (5) years (2026-2030). Capital improvement needs were identified by Forest Preserves’ staff, partner organizations, and members of the public. Requests for new or improved facilities, amenities, and infrastructure can be submitted at the Capital Improvement Plan webpage on the Forest Preserves website. The draft report and appendix can be downloaded from the Forest Preserves’ Capital Improvement Plan webpage via the Forest Preserves website. Comments may be submitted to planning@cookcountyil.gov until December 19th. The final report will be issued in January 2026.   Not available Not available