Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board met on April 14, 2026, at 4:30 PM CT. The meeting included a land acknowledgement, approval of a consent calendar honoring retiring Police Chief Teresa Odom, recognizing Earth Day and Brookfield Zoo volunteers, public testimony, reports from Superintendent Bianchi and the Conservation & Policy Council, and unanimous approval of committee recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Item 26-0229: Resolution celebrating the career and honoring the retirement of Chief Teresa Odom, who served 35 years in law enforcement (Chicago PD, Cook County State’s Attorney security, Forest Preserve Police Chief since 2021). Commissioners praised her leadership in model policing, mental health initiatives, and community engagement. Chief Odom thanked the board and her officers.
• Item 26-0235: Proposed resolution recognizing April 22, 2026 as Earth Day for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Commissioner Naya highlighted Earth Day events (e.g., April 18 celebration at Sock Trail Woods Central, April 22 stewardship).
• Item 26-0245: Resolution recognizing Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s volunteer program during National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19–25, 2026). Commissioner Aguilar noted over 260 volunteers, including a 50‑year volunteer milestone. Zoo representatives and volunteers were present and thanked the board.
• The consent calendar was approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Blake Moore testified, expressing strong criticism of procurement and contracting practices, alleging that black residents are not benefiting economically despite having black elected officials. He called it a “plantation mentality” and a “one‑party system.” The board received his comments without response. (One speaker, three minutes allowed.)

Discussion Items

• Superintendent’s Opening Remarks: Superintendent Bianchi reported on spring activities: volunteers contributed 78,000 service hours in 2025 (valued at $2.7 million); 14 days of prescribed burns covering nearly 6,000 acres; stocking of 5,300 pounds of rainbow trout and expected production of 250,000 fingerling walleye; a new floating wetland habitat prototype; and the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps receiving over 200 applicants for 40 positions. He also highlighted that volunteer hours can satisfy SNAP requirements, thanks to Commissioner Britton’s collaboration.
• Conservation & Policy Council Report: Brandon Hayes (appointed October 2025) reported on two agenda items: (1) Forest Preserve Experience Program, funded by ARPA dollars, a five‑week paid summer program engaging high school students in ecological restoration; (2) Invest in Cook grant to design engineering for closing gaps in the Salt Creek Greenway Trail System (connecting Brookfield, Lyons, Riverside, North Riverside). He expressed support for both items.
• Item 26-0188 (Forest Preserve Experience Program): Superintendent Bianchi noted the program’s decade‑long partnership with Friends of the Forest Preserves and Housing Authority of Cook County, providing first jobs and nature exposure for youth.
• Commissioner Scott’s request: Comment on Item 26-0140 (easement at Whistler Woods) related to Joe Louis Golf Course clubhouse; asked that expansion of the clubhouse for banquet/conference use be placed on a future agenda. Superintendent said they would look into it.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar: Approved (voice vote).
• Item 26-0118 (Conservation & Policy Council report): Deferred to a later meeting.
• Item 26-0197 (Intergovernmental agreement with Evanston for refuge collection at Perkin Woods): Approved.
• Item 26-0195 (County auditor’s report on law enforcement time & attendance): Referred to audit committee.
• Item 26-0140 (Easement request to IDOT at Whistler Woods): Referred to real estate committee.
• Item 26-0142 (Easement to IDOT at Willow/Hibbert Road, Winnetka): Approved.
• Item 26-0194 (Partnership agreement amendment with Chicago Horticulture Society): Approved.
• Item 26-0196 (Calendar of events, April 14 – May 4, 2026): Approved.
• Item 26-0200 (Contract with Arlington Power Equipment for mowers): Approved.
• Item 26-0201 (Contract with Mower Works for electric mowers): Approved.
• Item 26-0188 (Contract amendment for Forest Preserve Experience Program with Friends of the Forest Preserves): Approved.
• Item 26-0202 (Contract amendment for facilitation/management coaching pool): Approved.
• Item 26-0207 (Contract amendment with Red Wing Brands for protective footwear): Approved.
• Items 26-0028, 26-0187, 26-0205, 26-0208 (Procurement and disbursement report, vehicle steering committee annual report, workers’ compensation report, land use request report): Received and filed.
• Labor Committee: Approved extension of collective bargaining agreement with FOP for sergeant unit (Item 26-0144).
• Rules Committee: Approved Journal of Proceedings of March 10, 2026 (Item 26-0216).
• Finance Committee: Approved bid recommendation for FabX Technology LLC for Sandridge Nature Center (Item 26-0206); approved litigation and workers’ compensation recommendations; received and filed corporate fund analysis (Item 26-0102).
• Audit Committee: Received and filed open recommendation report (Item 26-0161).
• Real Estate Committee: Approved license requests for ComEd at Red Gate Woods (Item 26-0167) and Dundee Road, Palatine (Item 26-0168); approved easement request for IDOT at River Road north of Foster Avenue, Schiller Park (Item 26-0169).
• Adjournment: Motion carried.