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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>June FPDCC Board Meeting Report<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Seven new Illinois Nature Preserves were approved at the
June Forest Preserve District of Cook County board meeting. Following the
approval, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will review and hopefully
formally dedicate Powderhorn Marsh, Green Lake Savanna, Calumet City Prairie,
Deer Grove, Black Partridge Fen, Tinley Creek Woods, and McMahon Fen.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If and when the sites receive Illinois Nature Preserve
dedication they will enjoy the highest level of protection a natural area can
receive in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:State>.
The FPDCC currently has the most acreage of all forest preserve districts with
16 sites totaling 4,335 acres (approximately 10% of all Nature Preserve land in
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:State>).
The addition of the seven new sites will add approximately 3,360 acres to the
Illinois Nature Preserve Commission system and will bring the FPDCC total to
approximately 7,700 acres for 23 sites. Total acreage will be more than DuPage,
Kane, <st1:place w:st="on">Lake</st1:place>, McHenry and Will County Forest
Preserve Districts combined (7,631acres).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Special counsel from the firm of Neal and Leroy was
appointed to handle eminent domain proceedings on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">One</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Aloha</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Land</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> – one of several parcels the
FPDCC is attempting to acquire as part of a buffer zone for Wolf Road Prairie.
Commissioner Anthony Peraica questioned the methods of choosing the outside
counsel while President John Stroger is absent due to illness. The President
has the authority to appoint such counsel, which must then be approved by the
Board. Chief Attorney Robert Kinchen said he recommended the firm and that
staff and representatives from the President’s office discussed the
recommendation prior to the meeting. Commissioner Peraica continued questioning
the process until President Pro-Tem Mario Moreno shut him down.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Commissioners received an update on the progress of SB-83
and other major funding source projects from the Department of Planning and
Development. Many of these projects were approved during the Finance Committee
meeting, including trail resurfacing, comfort station rehabilitation, and picnic
shelter rehabilitation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A structurally damaged bridge over Salt Creek in Bemis Woods,
that was originally slated to be repaired, will now be replaced. The bridge suffered
extensive damage due to flooding and will now need to be replaced and not just
repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Village</st1:PlaceType>
of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Northbrook</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> was given
permission to locate, operate, and maintain a 24” x 38” elliptical
storm sewer and outfall structure, and regrade an existing roadside ditch on
District property. Commissioners Larry Suffredin and Mike Quigley scrutinized
the plan, asking many questions about the design, need, and the precedent that
is being set. District staff and Commissioner Gregg Goslin ensured that the design
is actually an improvement for the District. Commissioner Quigley voted no on
the item.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>There were five speakers during the public comment portion
of the meeting. Two gentlemen spoke about major issues with what they said was a
bad contract with the District. They said that more than 50 letters concerning
the issue sent to the legal department and others went unanswered.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest
Preserves, spoke in favor of the support shown by the Commissioners for the new
nature preserves, Wolf Road Prairie, and Earth Day.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A woman spoke about concerns with the Spring Creek
restoration.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>George Blakemore was last to address the Board with concerns
about employment opportunities for African Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Commissioner Roberto Maldonado was absent and President Stroger
was noted as being excused from the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>May FPDCC Board Meeting Report<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Commissioner Anthony Peraica was met with intense objections
by fellow Commissioners when he suggested that a high school in his district
should be allowed to build a parking garage on FPDCC land. His argument was
that Brookfield Riverside High School had been allowed to have a parking lot on
FPDCC land for many years, that they had recently passed a large bond issue to
expand the campus, and that they needed the land. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Commissioner Deborah Sims objected, noting that her inquires
regarding a land swap with a steel mill in her district were shot down last
year. Joining in the objection were President Pro-Tem Mario Moreno, Commissioner
Gregg Goslin, and Carl Hansen.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Pro-Tem Moreno said they should cease and desist and that
the FPDCC should file a lawsuit to ensure that they do. Commissioner Goslin
noted that all of the encroachments in his district had been resolved
voluntarily by the violators. Commissioner Hansen repeatedly said that he has
major concerns with liability issues.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The FPDCC heralded the selection of Bartel Grasslands
Restoration Project as a recipient of an Environmental Award by the National
Association of County Parks and Recreation. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, in
collaboration with the FPDCC, will inventory historic materials within the
forest preserves at no cost to the District.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A ban on smoking was approved for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Chicago</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Botanic Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
and the Brookfield Zoo, as recommended by Commissioner Mike Quigley.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A contract for shoreline restoration at <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Beck</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Busse</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
and Schiller Pond was approved during the Finance Committee meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>George Blakemore was the first of seven speakers to address
the Board during the public comment portion of the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Bartel Grassland Volunteer Steward Dick Riner spoke about
the NACPRO award and played a tape of songbirds at the site that the Commissioners
were pleased to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Palos equestrian group representatives Lynn Richardson, Susan
Collins, and Patricia Provensano (sp?) all heaped praise on Mike Hart, FPDCC
Trails Coordinator, for many recent improvements to the trails in their region.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest
Preserves, presented a report on Friends Earth Day activities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A woman spoke about concerns with the Spring Creek restoration
project. Commissioner Carl Hansen joined in, speaking negatively about the
efforts being conducted by outside agencies.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Commissioners Peter Silvestri and Earleen Collins were
absent and President John Stroger was noted as being excused from the meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Benjamin Cox<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Friends of the </span></font><font size=2><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'><ns0:place w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox"
w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox"
w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><st1:place w:st="on"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>Forest</span></font></st1:place><u
style='text-decoration:none'><span class=msoIns><ins cite="mailto:Benjamin%20Cox"
datetime="2006-06-15T18:09"></ns0:place></ins></span></u></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Preserves<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>205 </span></font><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><ns0:Street
w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"
w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><ns0:address
w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"
w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><ns0:Street
w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"
w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><ns0:address
w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"
w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:
Arial'>W. Monroe St</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><u
style='text-decoration:none'><span class=msoIns><ins
cite="mailto:Benjamin%20Cox" datetime="2006-06-15T18:09"></ns0:address></ins></span></u></ns0:Street><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><u
style='text-decoration:none'><span class=msoIns><ins
cite="mailto:Benjamin%20Cox" datetime="2006-06-15T18:09"></ns0:address></ins></span></u></ns0:Street></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, 4<sup>th</sup>
Floor<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
10.0pt'><ns0:place w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"
w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><ns0:City
w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"
w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox" w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>Chicago</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><u
style='text-decoration:none'><span class=msoIns><ins
cite="mailto:Benjamin%20Cox" datetime="2006-06-15T18:09"></ns0:City></ins></span></u></ns0:place></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, </span></font><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><ns0:State w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox"
w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox"
w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><st1:State w:st="on"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>IL</span></font></st1:State><u style='text-decoration:
none'><span class=msoIns><ins cite="mailto:Benjamin%20Cox"
datetime="2006-06-15T18:09"></ns0:State></ins></span></u></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><ns0:PostalCode w:insAuthor="Benjamin Cox"
w:insDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z" w:endInsAuthor="Benjamin Cox"
w:endInsDate="2006-06-15T18:09:00Z"><st1:PostalCode w:st="on"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>60606-5006</span></font></st1:PostalCode><u
style='text-decoration:none'><span class=msoIns><ins cite="mailto:Benjamin%20Cox"
datetime="2006-06-15T18:09"></ns0:PostalCode></ins></span></u></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>o. (312) 696-0070<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>c. (773) 398-1178<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://www.fotfp.org/"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>www.fotfp.org</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="mailto:benjamin@fotfp.org"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>benjamin@fotfp.org</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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