Hello Friends,

The Land Policy Resolution and Ordinance passed at today's Cook County Forest Preserve Real Estate Committee meeting!

The policy reaffirms and updates the policies put in place in the 1946 and 1962 -- when the District said no to everyone when it came to requests for land, even the War Department.

The ordinance does two things. First, it gives teeth to the policy and second it pulls all the pieces of state and local legislation together that govern the Forest Preserve District making it easier for everyone (commissioners, staff, the public) to know how to deal with requests for land.

Several amendments were introduced today and one in particular is a bit difficult. It essentially grandfathers any preexisting requests that have been made. So, we still have to deal with the Dominican University request and the request at Pottawatomie Woods. That doesn't mean they automatically pass, but they can still be considered by the Board.

But, after these few issues, requests for land should be much easier to deal with.

Commissioners Steele, Butler, Sims, Murphy, Maldonado, Silvestri, Quigley, Claypool, Goslin, Hansen, Peraica, and Doody Gorman were present. Commissioners Collins, Moreno, Daley, Suffredin, and President Stroger were absent.

Congratulations to all of our Friends! We worked hard to ensure the passage of these important pieces of legislation.

Keep up the good work!

Benjamin Cox
Executive Director
Friends of the Forest Preserves
5225 Old Orchard Road, Suite 37
Skokie, IL 60077
o. (847) 967-0796
c. (773) 398-1178