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Meeting date/time:
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1/13/2026
10:00 AM
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Minutes status:
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Draft
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Meeting location:
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Cook County Building, Board Room,
118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois
Issued On: 1/8/2026
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26-0001
| 1 | | | Consent Calendar Resolution | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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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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26-0010
| 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 (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 | | |
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26-0011
| 1 | | | Resolution | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0012
| 1 | | | Resolution | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0013
| 1 | | | Resolution | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0014
| 1 | | | Resolution | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0015
| 1 | | | Miscellaneous Item of Business | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0005
| 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, 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 | | |
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26-0004
| 1 | | | Agreement | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0003
| 1 | | | Contract | PROPOSED 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 | | |
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26-0007
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
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. | | |
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26-0008
| 1 | | | Report | REPORT
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. | | |
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26-0115
| 1 | | Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Plan for Forest Preserve District of Cook County | Report | REPORT
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 | | |
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26-0002
| 1 | | PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMMING | 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 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 | | |
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