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Next meeting is of force-preserved finance.

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Now we're having reached 930. I not call the Cook County force-preserved finance committee to order.

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Secondary, please call the vote.

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Commissioner Agular.

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Here.

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Commissioner Anaya.

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Commissioner Britain.

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Here.

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Commissioner Daily.

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Vice Chairman Deer.

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Commissioner Degnan.

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President.

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Commissioner Gainer.

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Commissioner Miller, Miller.

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Miller here?

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Miller here?

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Commissioner.

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Commissioner Miller here?

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Commissioner, more is here!

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Commissioner, captain, more is,

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sir?

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Commissioner, sir.

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Commissioner, sir, is the bestry is, President?

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Commissioner, Cims?

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Commissioner, sir for the.

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President.

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And chairman of Royal?

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Chair.

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Chairman you have a quorum. Thank you madam secretary she informs me we have a form president madam secretary

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Do we have public speakers?

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Okay, thank

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you chair part in the distraction

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Chris

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Gladwin is our first registered public speaker. We have a total of 16 registered public speakers

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Chris Gladwin is first

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Hi, is here we all right

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Yes, there we do

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Well, I'll just talk briefly, represent a couple of different

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influences of the business community and the educational community.

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I made Java as a software company, and we've hired over a thousand people,

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and I started

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companies like, when I can report is that first preserves are a key part of recruiting and

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obtaining key employees. And so, from a business point of view, we want these kinds of activities

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and we want to make them better. And so that's why I'm in support of this additional financing.

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I'm also a co-chair of an organization called P33, which, you know, the business leaders and academic

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leaders and others, civic leaders in Chicago have created to transform Chicago into a world

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leading tech economy. As a part of that a couple weeks ago I was traveling with the mayor

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and other business leaders to San Francisco to basically identify people who have grown up or

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gone to school in the Chicago area and our pitch was you know come back to move forward. In a big

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part of that I mean essentially part of that frankly is you know we have to have forest

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reserves, if we're going to be competitive and attracting talent, you know, that creates jobs

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and economic activity.

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I'm also the chairman of an organization called The Ford Salmon, which is a company that

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builds outdoor recreation parks, and our first park is a Malon, Illinois, which is in

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Cook County.

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It's a public-private partnership that we've established to bring recreational opportunities

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as well as education.

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We open that during the pandemic, and we just celebrated our 1 year anniversary. And I can tell you that's another example where, you know, there's a demand, you know, for, you know, a better force preserve, you know, better services, better capabilities, makes, you know, those kinds of opportunities, even better.

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And then finally, I'm on the Board of Trustees of Illinois Tech, which is a great university

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in the city of Chicago, and it's also essential, you know, to have forest reserves.

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Let me just tell you a quick story, and then I'll conclude on that.

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So one of my friends here in Chicago is one of the leading computer science.

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Chris, you have one minute?

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No, thank you.

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And he came to, you know, one of the great schools here in the city to lead their computer science department and he called me the other day and said he was trying to recruit.

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But one of the leading professors in the United States to move to Chicago to be a professor here.

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And this guy is a special specialist in data science and he's also an African American man.

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30 seconds there's a ton of interest and you know he could kind of work at any

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university and his number one question was tell me about the mountain biking in Chicago

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so I explained about payloads and all the great stuff that we have and you know that's essential

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to recruiting, irritating and building Chicago into an economically vibrant place. Thank you very much.

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Thank you our next public speaker is Stuart's strong.

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Do what I think you are muted.

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Please

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a new

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story if you can hear me you're muted we can't hear you

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stored I'm going to come back

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to you see if you can unmute your mic Rose can

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you help us and ask Patricia Hayes to

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please come in Patricia Hayes I'm sorry go to the the laptop in the reception area

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Patricia Hayes I believe Patricia Hayes is in person

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store we're going to come back to you

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because your mic says muted and we couldn't hear you.

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Patricia Hayes,

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Chairman, I'm going to move to the next one

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while they get her situated as well.

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Benjamin Cox, Mr. Benchard.

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Good morning, everyone.

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Good morning, Benchard.

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Good morning.

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Good to see you all.

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We've all been virtually still.

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And I won't go on for very long because the commissioners

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have suffered a lot of time with the late lane.

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I really appreciate it.

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But obviously, I'm here to speak in support

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of the course of your referendum.

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Friends of the Force preserves, you know, it's 2,200 members of a 10,000 social media

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context and then this coalition that many of the folks in my call today have helped us

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pull together with 50 organizations so far that have signed on and supported the referendum,

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representing tens of thousands of people here in County.

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We know that this referendum would

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with clean air, clean water, jobs for youth and adults, recreation and land acquisition,

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and just an extensive list of terribly important things, including our opportunity to impact climate

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change. Climate change is a very daunting thing. It's a global problem and the only way it's going to

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get solved is if we're all doing our part and this is a huge opportunity for us to have a large impact

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are locally. Of course, there will also be assistance with essential capital needs and essential

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support for our two world class institutions here at Cook County, the Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo,

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and the Chicago Botanic Garden. And we stand ready to help move this referendum forward and then

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to help implement through the next entry conservation plan, all the wonderful plans that all of the

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of course, preserve the sport of coming together on to move forward over the next 20 years.

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So thank you.

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We're going to ask for your support on this. We're glad to see unanimous sponsorship of this bill. And we look forward to unanimous vote today. Thank you again.

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Thank you. We're going to go back to Patricia Hayes. Patricia, are you ready?

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Brian, is she ready?

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After Patricia, we're going to have Jean Fransk and Dr. Felice Binion.

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Is Patricia ready?

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Seems like we have a connection issue with the laptop in the reception area.

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I'm going to move to the next speaker, Jean Fransk.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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President C.O.

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The Chicago Botanic Garden.

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I am so thrilled to be able to offer public support for putting this referendum on the

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ballot.

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It calls for a very modest property tax increase that will support the preserves, the

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garden, and the zoo.

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I want to thank each and every one of you for recognizing just how important the

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to the health and well-being of the entire region.

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So you know us at the garden where a world we're now in the Tana Garden and conservation and education institute was more than a million visitors a year.

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And we're really proud to be that scientific and cultural asset to the county.

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And whether it's, you know, we had our main campus at the garden or one of our urban farms in Washington Park or Laundail.

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We know that these places really resonate with people.

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We know our own visitorship is increased by 43%

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over the last few years.

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Our education and learning programs

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have more than doubled in size.

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So that tells us that green space, nature, gardens

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are really in demand.

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And it's because places like this, places like the Bores

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deserves are fundamentally important to our mental

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and physical health and wellbeing.

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It was so apparent during this last year of COVID.

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And we know that the biggest green space in this region are the force reserves of Cook County and that everybody in the region benefits from this green canopy.

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So what we do collectively, the garden reserves and the zoo is really become a part of this community's identity important to recruiting that professor to Illinois tech, as well as some of those new young employees were trying to bring into the Chicago market.

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We know the benefits today, and it's our obligation and responsibility to make sure these benefits exist for the next generation.

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We want to save these open spaces, protect the woods, the remaining priorities, the waterways, and preserve what really is a national treasure.

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So all of these resources need funding. We need the funding to increase to meet the increasing costs associated with

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but frankly keeping up with our growth,

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keeping up with the demand,

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that's operational needs and infrastructure.

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In the garden, that's about maintaining a world-class living museum,

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research and learning programs,

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and then the broad race community engagement programs as well.

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One minute too.

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So I am so happy that we as an institution

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and I as an individual are here to help you work this through,

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and can't thank you enough for the unanimous support

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recognizing the need and working with us to see it realized.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, our next public speaker is Dr. Felice Binion.

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Dr. Binion.

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Yes, good morning.

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Good morning.

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My name is Dr. Felice Binion.

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I'm a CEO and President of the West Side Minister's Coalition.

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And I am in support of this referendum in regards to clean water, clean air, global warming, reducing flooding, job creation.

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But I wanted to show the story. I remember when I was a little girl and I was a girl

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out and we went hiking and there was a stream. There was no garbage. There it was very

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plain and I noticed that it was very clean. But there were dear friends that was in the mud.

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And so it was very impressive to be because normally when I see and think of deers I think

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food off the red nose reindeer back at that time. So it is very important that our forest

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preserves be, they be preserved. But they have the things that they need. If they have the

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funding that is needed to take place in regards to jobs and regards to water, clean water,

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clean air, global warming. And even with the strings of funding that's going to take place,

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even after they're looking to see if other areas of funding that could be tapped into.

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So just in trying to keep it going, keep it clean.

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I'm especially with reducing a flooding as we can see what's happening throughout the world and the nation.

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Just in that I am in support of this, but I'm also in support of just finding other strings of funding so that it can just come from and so that it doesn't.

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What about that?

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Group of people, but that we all collectively are part of making sure that our force preserves are taken care of. Thank you.

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Thank you. I'm going to go back to Stuart straw. Then we're going to have me hear me. Hold down one second, Mr. straw. Stuart will be next then need to do do on us and Joe and Siegren in that order. Mr. straw.

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Thank you. Can you hear me.

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Yes, we can hear you now.

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Good morning, Chairman Roya, Commissioner of Superintendent Randall, and apparently 71 others.

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I'm Stuart Stroll, still the President and CEO of the Chicago Sewological Society.

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And I'm here to thank you all for supporting an initiative that will provide Cook County residents.

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The opportunity to vote in support of clean air, clean water, new jobs, outdoor education

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programs for youth, and improved and expanded recreational facilities for all of our county

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residents.

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In 2021, here at CZES, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Chicago

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Zoological Society by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, a particular Peter Rineberg and

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Dan Ryan.

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This charitable not-for-profit organization that I'm the CEO of has partnered with the Forest

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Preserve's for over a century to grow our common recreational education outreach and conservation

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missions. Both inside the zoo and also throughout the Cook County region. As society becomes

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more urbanized, zoos, gardens and forest preserves provide an important space for nature and

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learning for children. With our partners, CCS is committed to building an inclusive

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conservation movement that engages people of all backgrounds and our community

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based initiatives, which reach more than 200,000 people annually, also serve a

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diverse population of residents on the west and south sides of Chicago.

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Sorry, can the county? These educational opportunities are possible due to our successful

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public-private partnership with the Forest Berservs of Good County. This referendum will help

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support the creation of even more outdoor activities and open spaces, improving physical and

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mental well-being for children and adults alike. We're proud to be a part of the Forest Berserv

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system that contributes to the health and quality of life of millions of people. The preserve's

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wetlands help mitigate flooding and filter polluted water. It's forests improve air quality by

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observing pollutants, and our programs and construction projects collectively support thousands

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of jobs. However, the Forest Preserves and its partners, including Brookfield Zoo, can't maintain

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all of these benefits for Cook County without additional support. Our campus spans 216 acres,

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and many of those who are structures first built in the 1920s, and all of which are the

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property of the forest preserves of Cook County are in desperate need of repair.

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One minute, Phillips.

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If successful, this referendum will allow us to rehab the zoos aging structures, continue

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to invest in educational programs for youth conservation initiatives in our community.

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The zoos board of directors are staff, our volunteers, and member families and thousands

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of community partners, including our 100,000 member families, stand ready to work with the

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deserves in our sister institution at the Chicago Botanic Garden to ensure a vibrant future

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for these regional treasures and improve recreational opportunities for all Cook County residents.

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30 seconds.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you.

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Our next public speaker is Nina Duanis.

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Yes.

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Good morning, everybody.

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Thank you for listening to our comments this morning and for working on this very important

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referendum. I am the Vice President of Children's Services at the Lord who are a nonprofit that

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serves about 2,000 children and families in Chicago and in Césarro. And we are starting

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early. We are showing children about urban conservation and conservation in general at an early

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age. And we often come out with the children to the Forest Purser. We have great partnership

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for all 50 years with the Brookfield Zoo. They have been part of our program for all these years.

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And helping us educate further educator teachers in the efforts of bringing all of these wonderful things that we're all talking about today to the children and families that we serve.

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It's very important to us that we have the forced preserve as it is, are even better.

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We'll be forward for them for the children. So I'm here speaking on their behalf.

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And I also want to say that for the last 15, 17 years we've been working with the monarch butterfly project in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

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As you know, Illinois is a pathway for the monarch butterfly.

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The zoo also works very closely with monarchs and it's very important that we continue all of our work with nature and the forest preserve for all of these reasons.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you. Our next public speaker is Patricia Hayes. Patricia, are you ready?

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I'm here. Thank you.

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Hello.

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A man, President, Commissioner, thank you so very much for this opportunity to talk to you today.

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My name is Patricia Hayes. I live in Orland Park, John Lorson, 17th District.

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I have been a volunteer sites toward a thousand acre Orland grassland.

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It'll be 20 years next year or a very long time, reading, volunteer work activity and outreach activities.

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I have two recent success stories, there are many, but these are just recent from last week.

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We're now at Breast in Bernard from a marine valley community college.

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Brings her class out to do oral and grass land three times a year once a month during the spring.

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And we had one of her prior students come out last week, and he has successfully completed

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a very valley gone on to complete his undergrad career, and is going on to his masters.

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It's in medical ethics, but he was so taken by what he heard and what he saw at Orland

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Grassland that he wants to come back and continue to volunteer with us.

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Another success story, a young man from Tenandwood Park.

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He went out to Illinois State University

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as majoring in environmental sciences,

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comes out with us as often as he can.

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In summers, he's now a fellow

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getting a choose to grassland,

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having completed his Illinois studies at Illinois State.

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Two very, very good success stories.

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Others, high level of ecologist

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been out with me at various times at Berlin. The place is amazing. The place is off the charts,

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stewardship here is amazing. This is wonderful but has been accomplished and so short of time.

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I can't believe the accomplishment is so short of time. So success stories,

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bad news is we're going to lose the sight. We are under a tsunami of invading calorie pair of

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preferred pair of the darling of the industry, the landscape industry.

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Birds would tree-foil is appearing in great, great masses, suffocating our native species

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opportunities and gathering up those that are there.

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Our pond streams, creeks, are being inundated and overwhelmed with tree growth.

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One minute.

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One minute.

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So we have this problem that we use, the tall grass prairie, that cleans water, cleans

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Air,

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reduces flooding, and also, we'll lose opportunity to engage in a mature community.

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So I am asking that you support this referendum, we are desperate for your help.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you. Our next three public speakers, Joanne Seagrin,

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to Nisha Harris and Joseph Pellezky.

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Go in.

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Thanks. My name is Joanne Seagrin and I'd like to ask you to please vote

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yes to the force preserves referendum to have it move forward.

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My husband and I live in the city of Chicago.

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I've been on the board of open lands for around eight years

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and in the current board chair.

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Prior to living in downtown Chicago, I lived in Berington.

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In both places, I have come to value the force preserves for many reasons, starting with personal enjoyment, a sense of peace and wonder and a place to spend time with my family.

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My children are now grown, but we regularly spent time in Cook County's many force preserves.

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From the time they sat in a baby backpack through high school and even summers home from college, when we all volunteered to pick prairie seeds, clear brush or replant native plants and trees.

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It's one of their most important childhood experiences and it is shaped the way they think about caring for the world today.

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It's people, places.

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Over the years I saw how important the preserves are for cleaning and filtering water and addressing flooding and for providing clean air, habitat for animals as critical too.

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There is so much work to be done though. I've watched over 30 years as brush has overcome our precious periods in Savannah's, and this past year especially as numbers of visitors have overwhelmed the infrastructure.

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Now, more than ever, people need access to nature to be able to watch and raptured as a family

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of boxes plays in the afternoon sunlight to exclaim out loud about the beauty of a carpet

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of delicate spring wildflowers or a riot of color and texture of a prairie and full summer

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bloom.

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Or to watch and wonder as a Cooper's hawk catches its prey, flying precisely through the woods.

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Protecting our preserves takes people and effort and money, and by properly funding jobs and providing training we can protect our preserves, and we can continue to improve accessibility to all of our residents.

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Our forefathers had tremendous foresight to establish the county forest preserves.

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We need the foresight and the will to see this vision succeed well into the 21st century and beyond.

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What minutes isn't just nice to do, it's critical work, and this referendum must be put on the ballot.

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I have no doubt that it will be supported by voters, so many of whom have discovered a new world in nature.

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When their usual world shut down during the pandemic period, please vote yes unanimously to move this important referendum forward.

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Thank you.

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Our next speaker.

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Thank

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you, President Patmigol and Cook County Board of Commissioners for a lot of these

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people for you to do.

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And support the force to go back to them.

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Item number 21-0346.

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My name is Tunisia Harris and I am the Chicagoan Conservation Manager at the Irwin

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Wayne Bible Council.

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I do see represents over 100 environmental organizations from across the state.

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and I'll be half of those organizations support this initiative.

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We understand each of the mechanisms between people and the environment

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and dependent environmental and community protections

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of the local, state, and federal level.

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Even though I worked with a viciously taking me to the forest reserves of summer,

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my first time, of course, is ever because county property,

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this is a teenager doing field work for service hours.

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I've done it by the side of your work that is for how we get morning and community

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to the nearest forest reserves to collect seeds,

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climate basis and overall doing nature.

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I didn't join in a two hour commute from soft shore to the end of the city or join.

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Number every day, so it's organization, so it's a volunteer event.

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I distinctly remember the feeling of peace, aberration, and curiosity.

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Some reading a question crisp air to excitedly pulling that atmosphere from the ground.

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It was just a re-experience, I would find hard to replicate in the city.

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It was going to be in a bigger league about the fresh air, which is something with asthma.

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I can't get enough love.

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That's how this experience creates a certain community connection to nature,

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but I care with me through my work that I received,

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and I don't have other kids in the Kentucky residents to have this experience.

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The first results of the Titanic has got a set of opportunities

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and you've got some services that are invaluable to developing

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and people in the environment.

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We mostly show the longevity and vitality of the first

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deserves that clean out your water,

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to do studying, make sure that for those who are accessible,

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I'm great to play for our kid on TV, Joe, like I once was.

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00:28:39,940 --> 00:28:40,760
Thank you, Michael Bajor.

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I urge you about yesterday to move the staff around the board, and then you do

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thousands of new kids, so the one there for my course, the nurse.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Next public speaker, Joseph Pat Lasky.

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Joseph are you there?

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All right.

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I will call the next three public speakers.

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Gloria Orasco, Daniel Souras, and Robert Casper in that

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or Gloria are you there?

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Gloria or Roscoe,

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I'll move to the next one.

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Daniel Svores.

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Hello, good morning.

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Thank you, members of the committee,

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for the opportunity to be here today.

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To support the inclusion of the fours preserves

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of Cook County referendum, item number 21-0346.

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My name is Daniel Svores.

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I'm the Conservation Manager for Audubon Great Lakes,

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which is a regional office of the National Audubon Society.

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And we work to conserve and restore the Great Lakes

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for the benefit of birds, other wildlife and people.

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In Illinois, we have 11 locally affiliated chapters

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over 54,000 members and have identified 95 important

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bird areas, many of which are contained within the Cook County

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I'm also a proud resident of Cook County's eight district and would like to specifically thank Commissioner

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Arroyo for his support of the referendum. Increased funding for the force preserves will ensure

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continue protection for the nearly 300 species of birds that nest or pass through the force preserves

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of Cook County annually, relying on the preserves, woodlands, grasslands and wetlands for food and shelter.

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And this is more important than ever because birds are facing unprecedented threats. A recent study found

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since 1970, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds, while Audubon's science shows that

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two-thirds of North American birds, species, including many across our region, are vulnerable

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to extinction from climate change. My favorite bird, the bobbling, annually in barks on an epic

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weeks or monthslong journey from their wintering grounds in Argentina across the Amazon rainforest

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through Mexico and finally into the United States where it needs specific habitat to nest and rest.

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And the large acreage treeless prairies, like Patricia Hayes was talking about at Orland

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Grassland, are the habitat that they need, and they're virtually non-existent in our

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region outside of our forest preserves and public lands.

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So an increase in funding for the forest preserves will ensure that this important bottling

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habitat will continue to be protected.

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And the forest preserves are home for a world-renowned volunteer stewardship program.

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Some of whom we've already heard from today.

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And that nurtured my own interest in conservation.

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00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:27,780
caring community of volunteer stewards throughout the county took the time to teach me

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00:31:27,780 --> 00:31:31,980
how to identify plants and restore natural areas when I was having a hard time finding

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00:31:31,980 --> 00:31:38,540
a job after the great recession in the late 2000s. At Audubon Great Lakes, we're also helping

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the next generation make connections to nature right in their backyards. Our habitat restoration

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00:31:43,140 --> 00:31:47,760
internship program trains young adults for careers in conservation on forest preserve lands.

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00:31:48,540 --> 00:31:51,960
And like Benchman mentioned earlier, this program is part of the Conservation Corps,

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which is one of the largest and most diverse programs

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of its kind in the United States.

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The Forest Preserve of the backdrop

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to this vital job training skills program,

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which is placed Cook County residents

400
00:32:01,300 --> 00:32:04,660
and key positions in the environmental and conservation field,

401
00:32:04,980 --> 00:32:06,880
including more than 80% of Audubon

402
00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:08,320
in since 2014.

403
00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:11,840
This measure will create and sustain thousands of jobs

404
00:32:11,840 --> 00:32:12,940
and lead to more opportunities

405
00:32:12,940 --> 00:32:14,860
for communities across Cook County

406
00:32:14,860 --> 00:32:16,820
to help heal and nurture the land.

407
00:32:17,380 --> 00:32:18,840
So on behalf of Audubon Great Lakes,

408
00:32:19,020 --> 00:32:20,920
I encourage you to support the Forest Preserve

409
00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:24,280
and the residents of Cook County by voting to move this referendum for it.

410
00:32:24,420 --> 00:32:25,280
Thank you very much.

411
00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:28,400
Thank you.

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00:32:28,500 --> 00:32:34,120
I'll call the next three public speakers in this order, Robert Casper, Chelsea Grassfield,

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and Elaine Layman.

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00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:38,860
Mr. Casper?

415
00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:41,800
Hi, yes, many of us are our Casper.

416
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I would like to speak on behalf of the Chicago area mountain bikers, which is a 501C3 organization

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00:32:47,020 --> 00:32:53,060
dedicated to the maintenance and development of sustainable use trails for all users not

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mountain bikers, as well as on a professional level as a family physician with the community.

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regards to the growth of the forest reserves over the last multiple years of the

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Schkallway and mountain bikers that I nearly 30 year partnership with the Forest Reserve

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00:33:08,840 --> 00:33:12,200
District of Cook County for the development of trails within the Payless Forest Reserve

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System. These trails have shown tremendous growth within, in terms of mileage as well as within

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use of multiple users in the last year of the pandemic we have seen, the significant proliferation

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of people enjoying our open spaces that we have, and this has really inspired me as

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a family physician, as a physician, as a physician, hoping to expand the access to the

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land, because numerous sites have shown the benefits of outdoor recreation for people of all

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ages, especially in our younger population, and having this vital resource that we have in

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the community,

429
00:33:55,120 --> 00:34:00,780
the people of Cook County benefit from having this, excuse me, from

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having the forces are there.

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00:34:04,780 --> 00:34:09,080
And in that vein, the Schkogreger Mountain Bikers and myself

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00:34:09,080 --> 00:34:17,080
Robert Casper speak in favor of referendum 210346. Thank you for your time and thank you for your vote in favor of this.

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Madam Secretary, can you please add Commissioner Gainer to the roll?

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00:34:21,980 --> 00:34:25,400
Yes, Chairman. Well, thank you, Mr. Casper. Chelsea Grassfield.

435
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Good morning. All my name is Chelsea Grassfield.

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And I'm the policy specialist that friends with the Chicago River.

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We are a 40 plus year old organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Chicago and

438
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Helium at River Watershed for People Plants and Wildlife and I live in the 10th District

439
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so thank you to my Commissioner of Project Gainer and I'll go to County Commissioner

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for the opportunity to make this public comment today.

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I'm here to ask that you vote yet to move the funding referendum for the force to their

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forward.

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Friends of the Chicago River partners.

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Regularly with the force preserves on ecological restoration and public access projects. We partner to install

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off-racals for nesting habitat and bat maternity awards. And last winter alone, we expanded our land restoration

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foot by print by 172 acres, removing evades of a new species, so that these areas can be returned to a

447
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native and diverse ecosystem. Not only do we protect and enhance the force figures for wildlife, but

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with the part of the coalition that oversees

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and tenial volunteer, which organizes regular volunteer

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days in the preserves.

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And outside of my professional capacity

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at friends, I myself have enjoyed volunteering

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00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:40,780
at and visiting love all wood.

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In addition to this work on the land,

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we know this measure will help improve water quality

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and ensuring that what floats to the Chicago

457
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on Calamet River is the claims.

458
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Forest preserves include wetlands and land

459
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along river stream, filter rain and storm water.

460
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That's the solution from entering our rivers and streams and Lake Michigan.

461
00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:07,640
About 15,000 acres of forest preserved land are next to streams and rivers and we must

462
00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:10,440
protect and restore these to ensure water quality.

463
00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:15,320
On behalf of the Friends of the Chicago River and our many supporters, please support

464
00:36:15,320 --> 00:36:19,200
the Forest Reserve's referendum and vote to move this referendum forward.

465
00:36:19,500 --> 00:36:20,160
Thank you.

466
00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:23,300
Thank you Chelsea.

467
00:36:23,300 --> 00:36:25,880
Next public speaker, Elaine Layman.

468
00:36:26,660 --> 00:36:27,500
Elaine Layman.

469
00:36:29,460 --> 00:36:30,300
Hi, can you hear me?

470
00:36:30,420 --> 00:36:30,700
Yes.

471
00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:31,320
Go ahead.

472
00:36:36,140 --> 00:36:39,040
First of all, thank you so much for a lot of opportunity.

473
00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:41,220
And I'd like to thank Board of Commissioners.

474
00:36:41,420 --> 00:36:42,780
And we are in the 12th District.

475
00:36:42,980 --> 00:36:44,300
So we're very happy.

476
00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:47,300
Um, um, the fire commissioner of Bridges, um,

477
00:36:47,360 --> 00:36:49,180
Dougman supportive this measure.

478
00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:55,980
Um, I am the executive director of the Filipino American Council.

479
00:36:56,840 --> 00:37:04,380
We're just cargo, one of the reasons in the nation, we've dabbished in 1953,

480
00:37:06,460 --> 00:37:07,860
and the Filipino

481
00:37:07,860 --> 00:37:17,440
American Union, maybe we have about 110,000 here in the Chicago area.

482
00:37:18,020 --> 00:37:23,020
Many of them do live in Cook County, and in Cook County, in Cook County, in Cook County,

483
00:37:26,920 --> 00:37:26,920
in

484
00:37:26,920 --> 00:37:30,220
We feel through Andrew Chicago Botanical Garden, our very important

485
00:37:30,220 --> 00:37:35,800
to our community, because we help us to appreciate and to to enjoy

486
00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:47,740
nature. And, um, almost, it's just surrounding around, and for us, the

487
00:37:47,740 --> 00:37:53,300
the referendum is very important because it allows us to learn about the

488
00:37:53,300 --> 00:38:01,700
world around and it connects us to the world beyond the borders of Cook County, the referendum

489
00:38:01,700 --> 00:38:10,820
helps us to appreciate and to foster and understanding of how the impacts of our actions,

490
00:38:12,460 --> 00:38:20,260
the encourages and impact of the world around us, including the Gulf of Mexico and the

491
00:38:20,260 --> 00:38:28,480
the ocean, to our own islands, it helps us to develop the self-awareness. This measure will help us

492
00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:37,920
to continue saving our trees, to help us to improve wildlife, which is part of the work that we do

493
00:38:37,920 --> 00:38:42,640
here, the Filipino American Council of Leadership Hago, one minute from a advocacy,

494
00:38:42,640 --> 00:38:48,020
and environmental advocacy for the pollinators and also for tree

495
00:38:48,020 --> 00:38:56,840
canopies. This just expands our work. And we really would really like to see this

496
00:38:56,840 --> 00:39:04,160
referendum come to fruition. Thank you very much. Thank you, Lane. Our last two

497
00:39:04,160 --> 00:39:07,520
public speakers, Gloria Orasco.

498
00:39:10,340 --> 00:39:13,520
Gloria, are you with us? Gloria,

499
00:39:13,520 --> 00:39:16,960
the state that she submitted mid in testimony and support.

500
00:39:17,900 --> 00:39:23,100
Great. Thank you. Last public speaker is Joseph, Pat Lisec.

501
00:39:24,180 --> 00:39:25,240
Joseph Pat Lisec.

502
00:39:27,340 --> 00:39:30,320
Permanent concludes our list of registered public speakers.

503
00:39:35,420 --> 00:39:37,480
Thank you, Madam Secretary. Thank you to all the speakers.

504
00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:39,520
It took time out today to give us the question.

505
00:39:40,420 --> 00:39:43,920
Let's get back to the order of business and the items before us.

506
00:39:44,680 --> 00:39:45,620
Commissioner Deer.

507
00:39:48,070 --> 00:39:49,390
Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

508
00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:59,860
I move approval of item number 21-0378, minutes from the meeting of February 25.

509
00:40:00,760 --> 00:40:03,300
221, is there a second?

510
00:40:04,100 --> 00:40:06,940
Move by Commissioner Deer, seconded by who was that?

511
00:40:07,140 --> 00:40:10,240
Commissioner suffered all those in favor of approval of the minutes, aye.

512
00:40:10,980 --> 00:40:11,520
Opposed?

513
00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:14,140
In the opinion of the chair that I have it.

514
00:40:14,260 --> 00:40:16,360
Chair now also recognizes Commissioner Deer.

515
00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:20,500
I move approval of the following.

516
00:40:21,300 --> 00:40:24,020
Item's number 21, does 031-8.

517
00:40:24,660 --> 00:40:26,720
21, does 031-9.

518
00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:29,320
21, does 032-0.

519
00:41:27,460 --> 00:41:34,800
Okay, the next item is 21 dash to zero three one nine is proposed bid recommendation with

520
00:41:34,800 --> 00:41:35,960
phybex technologies.

521
00:41:36,460 --> 00:41:37,840
This is for masonry repairs.

522
00:41:38,140 --> 00:41:43,480
It's a salt creek resource management center located in Western Springs.

523
00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:50,180
Phybex technologies LLC was a lowest responsive bidder at 176,000, $460.

524
00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:53,540
Next item is 21-103-2-0.

525
00:41:53,720 --> 00:41:56,220
This proposed bid recommendation with L Marshall Inc.

526
00:41:56,940 --> 00:42:01,200
For Riff Replacement at South the Southeast Police Headquarters located near Lansing.

527
00:42:03,680 --> 00:42:07,140
They were the lowest response of bidder at $264,000.

528
00:42:07,780 --> 00:42:11,300
The previous slowest response of bidder oak construction with through their bid,

529
00:42:11,720 --> 00:42:12,860
making L-martial overload.

530
00:42:15,220 --> 00:42:17,360
Next item is 21-103-2-4.

531
00:42:17,360 --> 00:42:28,640
This is proposed bid recommendation for the force deserves to enter to a into a three year contract with two one year renewal options for region one up with allied waste transportation.

532
00:42:28,860 --> 00:42:35,760
This is for waste removal. This is a trash that we collect and has to be deposited somewhere and this is one of those contracts.

533
00:42:37,340 --> 00:42:40,320
Similar one is 21 dash 0325.

534
00:42:40,480 --> 00:42:45,500
This is for waste removal, waste removal for Lakeshore recycling.

535
00:42:45,540 --> 00:42:46,780
This is for region 2.

536
00:42:46,940 --> 00:42:48,060
This is our central region.

537
00:42:48,820 --> 00:42:50,840
They were the lowest response a bit of for region 2.

538
00:42:50,940 --> 00:42:58,100
For a 21 dash 0326, similar contract allied waste transportation.

539
00:42:58,220 --> 00:43:01,020
This is for region 4, our southeast region for waste.

540
00:43:03,300 --> 00:43:06,500
Next item is 21 dash 0351.

541
00:43:06,500 --> 00:43:10,500
of proposed bid recommendation with Matthew Paving to

542
00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:13,620
redistribute transportation improvements at Cherie Hill Woods

543
00:43:13,620 --> 00:43:15,800
in payloads, crawdads, slew and willows springs,

544
00:43:15,940 --> 00:43:18,300
and the glory springs Woods in payloads park.

545
00:43:18,720 --> 00:43:22,520
Matthew Paving was the lowest responsive bitter at $369,000,

546
00:43:22,680 --> 00:43:24,160
$470,000.

547
00:43:24,860 --> 00:43:28,760
This is these resources are coming from the motor fuel tax funds

548
00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:32,040
that we receive from the county through the Department

549
00:43:32,040 --> 00:43:33,400
Transportation and Highways.

550
00:43:34,020 --> 00:43:36,740
Next item is 21-0352.

551
00:43:36,740 --> 00:43:40,700
This is a proposed bid recommendation with N-Lite LLC.

552
00:43:41,320 --> 00:43:46,060
This is for a parking lot green infrastructure retrofit and canoe lodge project.

553
00:43:46,060 --> 00:43:48,580
That's huge scope in North Riverside.

554
00:43:49,260 --> 00:43:51,320
N-Lite was the lowest response of Fitter N-8003.

555
00:43:53,590 --> 00:44:02,690
Hence, we're also for this project receiving money from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

556
00:44:02,690 --> 00:44:06,410
toward the completion of this project in the

557
00:44:06,410 --> 00:44:11,090
amount of $2,200 and $3,100 and $7 from MWRD

558
00:44:11,090 --> 00:44:15,170
and $80,000 from the county of the motorfield

559
00:44:15,170 --> 00:44:16,590
ex-tiles as well.

560
00:44:17,310 --> 00:44:19,710
Next item is 21-103-5-3.

561
00:44:19,950 --> 00:44:21,630
This is a proposed bid recommendation.

562
00:44:21,870 --> 00:44:25,790
Again, with N-Lite LLC, this is for district-wide transportation

563
00:44:25,790 --> 00:44:28,770
improvements at 165 of the Ogonquin Road and

564
00:44:28,770 --> 00:44:30,350
Crab Tree Nature Center in Barrington.

565
00:44:30,350 --> 00:44:33,330
and like it was the lowest responsive bidder at 711

566
00:44:36,560 --> 00:44:39,620
and the next item is 21-00356

567
00:44:39,620 --> 00:44:45,640
is proposed bid recommendation with Meru Corporation or Water Outlet Improvement Project

568
00:44:45,640 --> 00:44:50,280
at Powderhorn Lake, which is located on the far southeast side of the city Chicago.

569
00:44:51,240 --> 00:44:54,080
This is the site where we'll do it.

570
00:44:56,010 --> 00:44:59,970
Or I'm sure it's to create a fish passage system to connect Powderhorn Lake to Wulfl.

571
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:14,910
And another related work, a specified by Planning. Maru is a law-schersponsored bidder at 845,774,550 cents. And 21, dash 0350 is the

572
00:45:16,450 --> 00:45:19,670
corporate analysis fund analysis of revenue and expenditure.

573
00:45:42,440 --> 00:45:46,800
Are no, this is Steve Hughes. Chief Financial Officer, would you like me to summarize the budget report?

574
00:45:47,040 --> 00:45:47,680
Yes, please.

575
00:45:49,140 --> 00:45:56,320
Good morning, commissioners. Item 21, 035, 0 is the corporate fund revenue and expense report for May of 2021.

576
00:45:57,400 --> 00:46:13,620
May revenue is at 33 million, 479,588 dollars, 54% of budget. We are $2,5582,139 dollars above last year through May.

577
00:46:13,620 --> 00:46:25,800
with property tax collections up $746,000 for $171 compared to last year. Also, I'd like to point out that our PPRT collections are up about 2.2 million.

578
00:46:26,540 --> 00:46:31,680
So we have already met our annual budget projection for the year for that revenue category.

579
00:46:32,640 --> 00:46:40,840
Moving on to non-tax revenue where up approximately 1 million compared to last year, with our permits campgrounds and concessions all rebounding,

580
00:46:40,840 --> 00:46:44,200
over still lagging behind our 2019 numbers.

581
00:46:44,760 --> 00:46:47,820
For example, using 2019 as a baseline, the number of

582
00:46:47,820 --> 00:46:52,620
June picnic permits are about 15% below our 2019 permits,

583
00:46:53,180 --> 00:46:56,180
and our number of campers is down about 33%.

584
00:46:56,180 --> 00:47:00,660
Still, we have hosted over 26,000 campers this year

585
00:47:00,660 --> 00:47:02,980
so that numbers moving upward.

586
00:47:03,660 --> 00:47:09,840
Moving on to expenditures, our May expenditures are at 18 million, 25,000, 951 dollars

587
00:47:09,840 --> 00:47:12,320
We're about 29% of the budget.

588
00:47:12,640 --> 00:47:15,260
We're approximately 850,000 below last year,

589
00:47:15,580 --> 00:47:17,980
mostly due to our personnel costs being down

590
00:47:17,980 --> 00:47:20,020
due to hiring freeze that we had in place

591
00:47:20,020 --> 00:47:21,360
at the beginning of the year.

592
00:47:21,680 --> 00:47:23,040
We have since resumed hiring,

593
00:47:23,160 --> 00:47:25,000
but as you can understand, it takes a while

594
00:47:25,000 --> 00:47:26,540
to fill those making positions.

595
00:47:28,060 --> 00:47:29,960
In summary, our May Unit 8 expenditures

596
00:47:29,960 --> 00:47:32,880
are our May Unit 8 revenue exceeds expenditures

597
00:47:32,880 --> 00:47:35,160
by about 15.2 million,

598
00:47:35,420 --> 00:47:37,240
so by currently managing our finances,

599
00:47:37,240 --> 00:47:42,740
is the revenue expense numbers are a bit higher than the prior two years through May.

600
00:47:43,100 --> 00:47:46,320
So I would like to believe those are all the items that have been introduced for the finance

601
00:47:46,320 --> 00:47:47,100
committee so far.

602
00:47:47,440 --> 00:47:48,260
Thank you.

603
00:47:48,380 --> 00:47:49,220
Thank you, Steve.

604
00:47:50,000 --> 00:47:52,020
Just a correction on my part.

605
00:47:52,600 --> 00:47:53,420
Commissioner Deer.

606
00:47:53,760 --> 00:47:55,980
Move the following items for approval.

607
00:47:56,260 --> 00:48:00,000
21, 0, 3, 1, 8, 21, 0, 0, 3, 1, 9.

608
00:48:00,240 --> 00:48:07,220
21, 0, 0, 3, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 3, 2, 4.

609
00:48:07,220 --> 00:48:17,840
21-035-1, 21-035-2, 21-035-3, 21-035-3, 21-035-3, 21-035-6, and I would ask Vice Chair

610
00:48:17,840 --> 00:48:28,900
dear to, if you could amend that motion to include receiving and filing items, 21-035-5-035-0 and 21-036-2.

611
00:48:28,900 --> 00:48:37,900
I'm in that motion to include receive a file items number 2 1 dash 0 3 5 0 and items number 2 1 dash 0 3 6 2.

612
00:48:38,820 --> 00:48:39,640
Thank you.

613
00:48:42,670 --> 00:48:47,890
Next item is item number 21 0 3 6 2. We would hear from Lisa Lee.

614
00:49:19,680 --> 00:49:19,860
Better.

615
00:49:24,680 --> 00:49:27,240
All right. So I'm just going to try to speak up.

616
00:49:28,360 --> 00:49:36,580
For item 21, 0362 for the month of May 2021, our administrative costs associated with work

617
00:49:41,760 --> 00:49:44,720
on par with where we were in May of 2020.

618
00:49:56,710 --> 00:49:59,570
Any questions from commissioners?

619
00:49:59,690 --> 00:49:59,830
Chair.

620
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:01,460
Good night's commission, Sean Morrison.

621
00:50:03,690 --> 00:50:04,090
Thank you, Chairman.

622
00:50:05,710 --> 00:50:06,970
Arnold, two questions.

623
00:50:07,550 --> 00:50:08,170
The procurement.

624
00:50:10,230 --> 00:50:16,950
Do we use the same procurement as we do with the county orders, forces, or have their own procurement department?

625
00:50:17,350 --> 00:50:23,470
So the forces have has its own procurement process. Tom Collins are purchasing director.

626
00:50:23,890 --> 00:50:27,090
We have the same process, though, but we do our own procurement.

627
00:50:27,090 --> 00:50:32,710
And I'd like to point out how well these are presented to us.

628
00:50:33,550 --> 00:50:38,570
The items have all the bidders and have the dollar values of those bidders, and we've talked

629
00:50:38,570 --> 00:50:40,410
about doing that from the county side as well.

630
00:50:41,670 --> 00:50:45,650
So, procurement, if we could take a look at this as a commissioner, I think this is the best

631
00:50:45,650 --> 00:50:49,250
way to present these items to us so that we can not only see who won, but we can also see

632
00:50:49,250 --> 00:50:50,250
the other firms as well.

633
00:50:50,570 --> 00:50:51,770
So I want to commend you for that.

634
00:50:52,070 --> 00:50:52,670
Thank you.

635
00:50:52,670 --> 00:50:53,610
on the garbage.

636
00:50:57,070 --> 00:51:01,290
I assume that we did that internally because I see forced preserve garbage trucks

637
00:51:01,290 --> 00:51:04,490
all the time. I didn't realize that we were contracting that out or do we do both.

638
00:51:04,930 --> 00:51:11,450
So we collect the garbage from the actual gross, but that gets put together back at our site

639
00:51:11,450 --> 00:51:15,570
and then with that has to be collected and taken to a dump so that this is what this is.

640
00:51:15,590 --> 00:51:19,370
Gotcha. Okay. That clarifies. And it also includes recycling. Thanks.

641
00:51:22,260 --> 00:51:23,760
any other questions, they're bringing

642
00:51:23,760 --> 00:51:24,540
all of the questions.

643
00:51:25,520 --> 00:51:28,240
The motion was made by commissioner Naya.

644
00:51:56,580 --> 00:51:58,920
So both of those items if they could be kind of

645
00:51:58,920 --> 00:52:00,600
explained a little bit because there seems to be

646
00:52:00,600 --> 00:52:03,560
Mr. Hughes if you're on, can you please answer

647
00:52:03,560 --> 00:52:05,200
commissioner Naya's questions?

648
00:52:06,380 --> 00:52:07,960
Commissioner I pledge I didn't hear the

649
00:52:07,960 --> 00:52:09,140
beginning part of the question.

650
00:52:09,500 --> 00:52:13,060
So if you can just walk us through the

651
00:52:13,060 --> 00:52:15,720
intergovernmental sources on the revenue

652
00:52:15,720 --> 00:52:17,820
and expense report and also the landscape

653
00:52:17,820 --> 00:52:29,840
landscape maintenance because I would assume that during these months landscape maintenance still is going on, so I'm not quite sure why there's a huge decrease in the expense.

654
00:52:31,950 --> 00:52:38,050
Okay, so regarding, sorry, I believe you're referring to the revenue for intergovernmental sources.

655
00:52:39,090 --> 00:52:42,350
Yes, and then expenditures with the landscape maintenance.

656
00:52:42,350 --> 00:52:54,390
Okay, so on the review side, our intergal metal sources are, our reimbursement that we get from the county, we provide basically a law enforcement or security detail.

657
00:52:54,970 --> 00:53:06,070
On behalf of the county, there's an IGA that we have where we get reimbursed by them. So that's the bulk of what that is. But we also provide some grass cutting and snow removal services services.

658
00:53:06,490 --> 00:53:10,610
Of course site. So those are all being put in those numbers.

659
00:53:10,610 --> 00:53:14,050
I can speak to the landscape maintenance commissioner.

660
00:53:14,990 --> 00:53:20,150
So we, like everybody else, have had a hard time hiring and retaining seasonal laborers.

661
00:53:20,450 --> 00:53:24,350
And so while we've gone through the same process, we go through every year and start hiring

662
00:53:24,350 --> 00:53:28,930
in the early spring, we've had a hard time keeping people or getting people to actually take

663
00:53:28,930 --> 00:53:29,330
the job.

664
00:53:29,430 --> 00:53:30,170
So we're still short.

665
00:53:30,390 --> 00:53:40,470
I'd say 30, 35 bodies, so that these are, this is a lot of this reflected in the

666
00:53:41,450 --> 00:53:47,510
Um, so does that mean that there's certain areas that we haven't been able to maintain or everything's been taken care of.

667
00:53:47,630 --> 00:53:49,250
We're just really short staff at this point.

668
00:53:49,270 --> 00:53:52,370
We're really short staffed and we've had to prioritize it.

669
00:53:52,510 --> 00:53:54,770
Been out a lot with our landscape maintenance folks this year.

670
00:53:55,570 --> 00:53:56,850
So we're still cutting the grass.

671
00:53:56,970 --> 00:54:02,610
We're making sure the trash picked up with some of the other work has to get pushed down on the priority list because we just don't have enough people to do it.

672
00:54:02,610 --> 00:54:05,890
But hopefully you don't notice because we're doing a good job of prioritizing.

673
00:54:06,670 --> 00:54:09,570
But it has been a real strain action on landscape maintenance crews this year.

674
00:54:09,570 --> 00:54:13,550
because you write a lot of people are still out, but it's a challenge, but we've tried hard

675
00:54:13,550 --> 00:54:15,930
to keep up as much as possible, but we are short staff.

676
00:54:16,230 --> 00:54:20,370
Okay, I just wanted to know, because it seemed to be a huge decrease from the previous year,

677
00:54:21,130 --> 00:54:21,730
so thank you.

678
00:54:24,290 --> 00:54:28,770
There are being no other questions at this time, Commissioner, your moves, Commissioner

679
00:54:28,770 --> 00:54:34,090
Sims at second and all those in favor, oppose, in the opinion of the chair of the

680
00:54:34,090 --> 00:54:34,250
eyes.

681
00:54:34,250 --> 00:54:35,950
have it. Next up,

682
00:54:39,050 --> 00:54:39,350
Bustry.

683
00:55:04,560 --> 00:55:21,020
Thank you, Commissioner Sylvester. He moves the approval of item number 2102700, seconded by Commissioner Britain. All those in favour? Opposed? Any opinion of the chair that I have it? Commissioner Moore?

684
00:55:25,790 --> 00:55:26,190
President.

685
00:55:28,640 --> 00:55:30,220
And the Secretary, please.

686
00:55:31,680 --> 00:55:33,140
Commissioner Moore's vote on item.

687
00:55:34,600 --> 00:55:35,160
210203.

688
00:55:35,500 --> 00:55:35,920
Is that correct?

689
00:55:38,580 --> 00:55:39,600
President on that item.

690
00:55:41,680 --> 00:55:44,760
Next up, before I call on Commissioners Suffered in.

691
00:55:45,480 --> 00:55:46,680
Well, here, we'll go ahead.

692
00:55:46,800 --> 00:55:48,360
On Commissioners Suffered in.

693
00:55:48,360 --> 00:55:49,160
Commissioners Suffered in.

694
00:56:07,190 --> 00:56:07,490
District.

695
00:56:09,820 --> 00:56:14,640
And if I could ask the general superintendent to make some remarks, and then I'd like to make some remarks.

696
00:56:14,920 --> 00:56:15,060
Thank you.

697
00:56:15,060 --> 00:56:21,620
information are suffered and moves the approval of item number 210346, seconded by Commissioner

698
00:56:22,000 --> 00:56:22,360
Moore.

699
00:56:22,900 --> 00:56:26,600
We will now ask leave to hear from our General Superintendent, Mr. Arnold Randall.

700
00:56:27,920 --> 00:56:28,700
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

701
00:56:30,120 --> 00:56:32,380
I mean, first to say it's good to be here with all of you.

702
00:56:32,500 --> 00:56:36,400
I've seen you all throughout the last year and a half in different places, and

703
00:56:36,400 --> 00:56:39,060
and out in the force preserves, and that's been wonderful, but it's good to see you all together.

704
00:56:39,160 --> 00:56:41,040
It's good to be with you all together here again.

705
00:56:41,680 --> 00:56:49,140
In the interim, it's usually the President and the podium in me sitting in the back, and that's how it's been for the last several months has been really high, so it's good to be all back together.

706
00:56:51,200 --> 00:56:54,680
Thank you, commissioners, and I want to thank you for your support of the work that we do every day.

707
00:56:55,300 --> 00:56:59,200
Thank you for this initiative to provide more resources for that work.

708
00:56:59,700 --> 00:57:08,140
And thank you for the trust that increased revenue for the force reserves will be wisely and carefully spent.

709
00:57:08,140 --> 00:57:12,440
If we're given the opportunity, I can promise you that that trust will be met.

710
00:57:13,500 --> 00:57:16,380
For more than 10 years now, I've served as a general superintendent of the force

711
00:57:16,380 --> 00:57:20,320
deserves, and I want to thank President Prakwinkle for the opportunity and even more

712
00:57:20,320 --> 00:57:22,000
for her leadership over those years.

713
00:57:22,880 --> 00:57:28,360
In the last decade, we more than doubled the amount of land of our land that is under ecological

714
00:57:28,360 --> 00:57:29,120
restoration.

715
00:57:29,360 --> 00:57:33,940
We hold hundreds of more of events and for schools and for the public, and we've added new

716
00:57:33,940 --> 00:57:37,900
amenities across the preserves, and we are actively working towards commitments to

717
00:57:37,900 --> 00:57:40,400
environmental sustainability and racial equity.

718
00:57:41,560 --> 00:57:44,640
All that work has been made possible, of course,

719
00:57:45,820 --> 00:57:47,160
of the course that you have set

720
00:57:47,160 --> 00:57:50,420
and your steadfast support is a board and as a matter of present.

721
00:57:51,460 --> 00:57:53,940
We have not arrived at this plan to put a referendum

722
00:57:53,940 --> 00:57:56,160
in front of the voters quickly or rashly.

723
00:57:56,560 --> 00:57:58,860
After we launched the next entry conservation plan

724
00:57:58,860 --> 00:58:01,320
back in 2014, we worked with partners to create a list

725
00:58:01,320 --> 00:58:03,520
of more than 50 possible initiatives

726
00:58:03,520 --> 00:58:05,640
that could earn revenue or cut costs.

727
00:58:06,360 --> 00:58:10,520
Nothing was left off the table, and as we researched we found that some of the ideas were not

728
00:58:10,520 --> 00:58:12,760
feasible or simply did not match our mission.

729
00:58:14,000 --> 00:58:15,760
But we have pursued ideas that worked.

730
00:58:16,240 --> 00:58:19,620
We've cut costs, we've streamed line operations, and we're bringing in more funds from

731
00:58:19,620 --> 00:58:21,060
grants and non-tax revenue.

732
00:58:21,860 --> 00:58:26,140
All the improvements and new initiatives I cited have happened while our corporate operating

733
00:58:26,140 --> 00:58:32,440
budget has barely risen, just 9% higher in the total of the course of the last decade,

734
00:58:32,440 --> 00:58:34,960
and some 9% and over the last 10 years total.

735
00:58:35,800 --> 00:58:38,480
For several years, we have worked with advocates and supporters.

736
00:58:38,680 --> 00:58:42,140
You heard from some of them earlier, the President's Office, and this Board to explore

737
00:58:42,140 --> 00:58:43,140
options to do more.

738
00:58:43,920 --> 00:58:48,360
If the referendum passes, although the addition to a homeowner's private tax bill will

739
00:58:48,360 --> 00:58:53,060
be relatively small, it would give us the capacity to do a number of things, expand our

740
00:58:53,060 --> 00:58:56,920
successful restoration work, acquire more natural open land and cook county.

741
00:58:57,700 --> 00:59:01,560
Add more programs and events that share the natural world with every part of Cook County,

742
00:59:01,560 --> 00:59:06,020
address deferred maintenance and capital improvements, fully fixed the force

743
00:59:06,020 --> 00:59:10,600
deserves pension shortfall and support the capital needs of our partners at

744
00:59:10,600 --> 00:59:14,540
the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden. These initiatives will

745
00:59:14,540 --> 00:59:18,880
allow us to continue to expand what the force deserves provide us all. The

746
00:59:18,880 --> 00:59:23,740
reserves help keep the water clean and the air quality high and is highly

747
00:59:23,740 --> 00:59:31,540
developed county. They are critical to native plants and animals and ensure that we

748
00:59:31,540 --> 00:59:36,420
We know that spending time out nature is good for our physical and mental health and the

749
00:59:36,420 --> 00:59:40,260
force deserves our critical resource for this as well.

750
00:59:40,800 --> 00:59:45,600
I think that during the past year under lockdown and since we've been reminded about that.

751
00:59:45,980 --> 00:59:48,140
And also just how good it feels to be outside.

752
00:59:49,040 --> 00:59:53,900
Thank you to everyone who came out today to give public testimony, whether it's virtual or in person,

753
00:59:54,360 --> 00:59:59,960
about the importance of these benefits to Cook County and to provide the opportunity for more resources to support the preserve.

754
01:00:01,280 --> 01:00:15,520
A particularly want to thank the friends of the force deserves, open lands, the nature conservacy, the trust for public land, the Chicago Zooological Society, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and our conservation and policy council for their support.

755
01:00:16,320 --> 01:00:23,320
As we created the next-century conservation plan, one of our goals was to increase and deepen our connections with the conservation organizations and partners.

756
01:00:23,320 --> 01:00:32,360
That is work better than I think we even realized was possible and makes a stronger, more effective, as an organization, so I want to thank you all.

757
01:00:32,740 --> 01:00:40,360
And finally I want to once again express my appreciation and thanks to our staff and our network of volunteers for their dedication, creativity and hard work.

758
01:00:40,820 --> 01:00:49,400
I know that we are ready with the vision and momentum and the people and the plans to take the force reserves to the next level if the voters decide they will make this investment.

759
01:00:49,740 --> 01:00:50,320
So thank you.

760
01:00:50,960 --> 01:00:52,360
Thank you, Mr. Superintendent.

761
01:00:52,980 --> 01:00:53,320
Commissioner Sufford.

762
01:00:54,480 --> 01:00:56,280
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ladies and gentlemen,

763
01:00:56,520 --> 01:00:57,040
to the committee.

764
01:00:58,160 --> 01:01:00,560
For over a hundred years, the Cook County Force

765
01:01:00,560 --> 01:01:03,360
Reserve has gathered land and protected

766
01:01:03,360 --> 01:01:07,300
the people of this county from climate change,

767
01:01:07,840 --> 01:01:09,700
protecting it with clean or water,

768
01:01:10,120 --> 01:01:13,440
better air, and jobs that have been created

769
01:01:13,440 --> 01:01:14,640
because of the district.

770
01:01:15,340 --> 01:01:17,380
We've improved the quality of life,

771
01:01:18,000 --> 01:01:19,940
but unfortunately because we are

772
01:01:19,940 --> 01:01:26,340
non-home rule unit of government, we've had limitations on how revenue can be raised to be able

773
01:01:26,340 --> 01:01:34,700
to accomplish our mission. In 2014, this board created the next century conservation plan and adopted it.

774
01:01:36,380 --> 01:01:41,620
Since we introduced the language on this referendum, both of the Chicago Dailys, the

775
01:01:41,620 --> 01:01:48,580
sometimes in the Tribune, have editorialized in favor of this referendum as essential to protecting

776
01:01:48,580 --> 01:01:50,340
the quality of life going forward.

777
01:01:50,980 --> 01:01:53,500
I ask for an aye vote at this time.

778
01:01:53,880 --> 01:01:57,300
We will probably still technically have to come back in December

779
01:01:57,780 --> 01:02:00,620
to do one final vote to get this on the ballot.

780
01:02:00,680 --> 01:02:03,800
But this would be on the ballot in November of 2020.

781
01:02:04,480 --> 01:02:07,740
And if it passes, it would be a modest property tax increase.

782
01:02:08,100 --> 01:02:11,720
But it would be sufficient funds to guarantee that 100 years

783
01:02:11,720 --> 01:02:14,140
from now when they're celebrating the 200th anniversary

784
01:02:14,140 --> 01:02:15,580
of the force deserves.

785
01:02:15,580 --> 01:02:18,960
They are in the same quality of bland that we are today.

786
01:02:19,360 --> 01:02:19,940
Thank you.

787
01:02:19,940 --> 01:02:22,220
Thank you, Commissioner Suffin and Commissioner Daley.

788
01:02:23,180 --> 01:02:24,600
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Chair.

789
01:02:24,800 --> 01:02:25,800
Thank you, Mr. Chair.

790
01:02:56,980 --> 01:02:57,640
Commissioner Miller.

791
01:03:03,460 --> 01:03:09,160
Thank you, Chairman and for the recognition and I'm happy to sponsor this resolution.

792
01:03:09,240 --> 01:03:15,720
I want to thank congratulations to Superintendent Randall and everyone who's been working for this.

793
01:03:15,920 --> 01:03:21,060
This is really going to allow our voters and our citizens to decide on increasing the limiting

794
01:03:21,060 --> 01:03:50,020
rate for the forest reserve district of Cook County. As we look at the forest reserve, my district has one third of forest reserve landholdings and during this difficult pandemic, the forest reserve remained open had programming virtually as well as some in person things that were allowing people to the ability to come out and walk and participate and it's just really re-emphasizes the point that the forest reserve is an integral part of our community and contributes to our quality of life.

795
01:03:50,020 --> 01:03:58,280
I've been a strong supporter of the Forest Reserve and Patron long before I even became a commissioner and they're truly a jewel of the community.

796
01:03:59,280 --> 01:04:11,460
We posted many events at the Forest Reserve to show what's out there, the campgrounds as well as other things and gives children a place to exercise and stay physically fit as well as adults.

797
01:04:12,040 --> 01:04:28,960
We've enjoyed swallow cliffs stairs over the years or just walking and I think the pandemic's really reinforced the point of something that we already knew we'd like being in nature and we like the forest reserves as that place that we can go to improve our health both mentally and physically.

798
01:04:30,020 --> 01:04:37,140
We also know the role of the forest for their play and the health of our environment by protecting helping to protect the water and the air quality.

799
01:04:37,140 --> 01:04:42,460
So this referendum would give Cook County voters an opportunity to ensure that the forest reserve

800
01:04:42,460 --> 01:04:47,540
could continue to help our environment but also provide opportunities for our children in the future

801
01:04:47,540 --> 01:04:52,600
with the summer jobs program that we heard people talk about earlier today, scholarships,

802
01:04:53,640 --> 01:04:58,000
and exploration of job opportunities that people might not have known even exist it,

803
01:04:59,000 --> 01:04:59,980
and upper...

804
01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:23,540
We've got the opportunity to explore nature and outdoor programming. The Forest Rips, the referendum would also support the world-renowned cultural institutions, like the Brookfield Zoo, and we've had many people visit the Zoo lately. I'm proud that a local Girl Scout troop, number 65152 from my local area, just recently went to the Zoo, and we'll be able to get a badge related to that.

805
01:05:23,540 --> 01:05:25,980
and all the girls' doubts were happy about that.

806
01:05:26,040 --> 01:05:27,580
But these are just small things that add

807
01:05:27,580 --> 01:05:29,800
into the big part of what community means,

808
01:05:30,080 --> 01:05:31,400
as well as the Botanic Gardens,

809
01:05:31,560 --> 01:05:32,860
and it helps the Forest Preserve.

810
01:05:32,920 --> 01:05:35,160
This referendum is going to help the Forest Preserve

811
01:05:35,160 --> 01:05:38,800
realize the goals of the next century conservation plan.

812
01:05:39,360 --> 01:05:41,060
So for all these reasons, and more,

813
01:05:41,220 --> 01:05:42,660
I joined my colleagues on the board

814
01:05:42,660 --> 01:05:44,700
in supporting this measure and look forward

815
01:05:44,700 --> 01:05:46,280
to voting in favor of it.

816
01:05:46,860 --> 01:05:47,340
Thank you.

817
01:05:47,440 --> 01:05:49,860
Thank you, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Sean Morrison.

818
01:05:54,890 --> 01:05:55,950
Chairman, thank you.

819
01:05:58,480 --> 01:06:09,200
The referendum that we're going to put forth today, and I recommend, and I vote, really should, you know, I would like, I'd like the general public to just think about a few things.

820
01:06:09,620 --> 01:06:17,000
Having gone through through COVID, we have seen an unprecedented amount of folks that had the opportunities to get out of their homes and to be a amongst nature.

821
01:06:17,820 --> 01:06:28,920
The forces are, is place critical roles in the community, not only is it the hills and the trees and the trails, but we have great lakes and we have great ponds and streams.

822
01:06:29,980 --> 01:06:38,340
We have Brookfield Zoo, we have the gardens. These are all the contributing factors that we have in Cook County.

823
01:06:38,340 --> 01:06:44,400
I've said several times the force preserve of Cook County, number one, it's recognized throughout

824
01:06:44,400 --> 01:06:45,780
the country, award-winning.

825
01:06:46,660 --> 01:06:52,420
It's the largest in the country, and it really is a true gem that we have here in

826
01:06:52,420 --> 01:06:52,880
Cook County.

827
01:06:53,260 --> 01:06:58,320
We have one of the best major urban cities in the country, and we have one, and it's surrounded

828
01:06:58,320 --> 01:07:00,600
by these wonderful force preserves.

829
01:07:02,460 --> 01:07:04,560
You know, I know my family uses it personally.

830
01:07:04,560 --> 01:07:10,140
Now, the way of talking about increasing revenue, this is the right way that government should always do it.

831
01:07:10,280 --> 01:07:15,360
Government should always bring the idea of increasing revenue before the voters before the constituents who live there.

832
01:07:15,900 --> 01:07:18,460
So this really is the right way to do this.

833
01:07:20,820 --> 01:07:22,960
And I would recommend an aye vote.

834
01:07:23,460 --> 01:07:24,420
Thank you very much.

835
01:07:53,120 --> 01:07:54,040
I heard that dentist.

836
01:07:54,040 --> 01:08:08,320
The, as I was saying, where would we be without the screen to ask out of the forces or whether it be on the northwest side, the southwest side, the southwest suburbs of the northwest suburbs, no matter where in Cook County, someone's close enough to get to a forest was there.

837
01:08:08,500 --> 01:08:10,840
Some I have to walk, some I have to drive, but they're there.

838
01:08:11,120 --> 01:08:15,900
And I see when I drive down Cumberland, for example, children, woods and those by culbo woods up north.

839
01:08:16,580 --> 01:08:23,720
They're full. They're always full all weekend long. So people are enjoying and taking advantage of it, but it's important now that we ask the voters for this authority.

840
01:08:23,720 --> 01:08:27,920
So that this could continue to, so that our forces, there could continue to be the

841
01:08:27,920 --> 01:08:30,080
jewel around the city that it is around the county.

842
01:08:30,920 --> 01:08:34,220
So I certainly support this referendum, and I hope that everyone else does too.

843
01:08:34,520 --> 01:08:38,380
Because ultimately it is the power that people that are needed to keep these forces, there

844
01:08:38,380 --> 01:08:41,240
is on our other assets in progress.

845
01:08:42,160 --> 01:08:46,180
So, congratulations, hopefully this would be a congratulatory meeting after the referendum

846
01:08:46,180 --> 01:08:46,700
too.

847
01:08:47,620 --> 01:08:48,940
And thank you for you and your staff.

848
01:08:49,160 --> 01:08:50,620
You all do a wonderful job over there.

849
01:08:50,620 --> 01:08:58,150
the forces have come a long way in the 25 years that I've sat here, so when I was on high

850
01:08:58,150 --> 01:09:02,910
school sitting here at the time. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Commissioner

851
01:09:02,910 --> 01:09:09,070
Commissioner Britten. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And again, I want to thank Commissioner

852
01:09:09,070 --> 01:09:13,310
Sufford and for his leadership on this issue. I was a co-sponsor when we talked about this

853
01:09:13,310 --> 01:09:18,360
once before. I'm continue to be a co-sponsor and enthusiastically in support of this

854
01:09:19,880 --> 01:09:25,160
referendum, you know, I just a week ago, I was in some woods in Northbrook.

855
01:09:25,520 --> 01:09:31,600
I'm going to the Skoki Lagoon's to kayak and about a week and a half with the constituent.

856
01:09:32,040 --> 01:09:34,980
Probably there's some baby bald eagles out there, I'm going to take a look at.

857
01:09:35,520 --> 01:09:38,620
And the prospectized police department is sponsoring an event.

858
01:09:38,800 --> 01:09:42,580
I'm getting some tickets to them, where they're going to take some individuals to the botanic garden.

859
01:09:42,740 --> 01:09:47,320
That is just a taste of the things that we do through our force preserve system.

860
01:09:47,320 --> 01:09:59,960
And you know, I guess I will echo my friend, Sean Morrison, who we don't always agree on everything, but I think one thing we can certainly agree on is that people of Cook County will decide if is this the jewel we want to maintain or is this

861
01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:17,680
Something that we can do without or allow to be overgrown. I hope that we will be able to marshal our forces and support this resolution. It is extremely important for our force deserves, and it is a jewel that should never be forgotten. So I am strongly in support. No one requests an aye vote.

862
01:10:18,930 --> 01:10:22,850
Thank you, Commissioner Britain, Commissioner Degnan.

863
01:10:23,810 --> 01:10:24,310
Thank you, Chairman.

864
01:10:26,210 --> 01:10:29,390
I'm so thrilled to see the board support today for this

865
01:10:29,390 --> 01:10:30,410
referendum.

866
01:10:31,190 --> 01:10:35,490
The force preserves Green Space provides a calming nature area that's free

867
01:10:35,490 --> 01:10:37,610
to all of us to support our mental health.

868
01:10:38,170 --> 01:10:41,610
The trees and plants help balance our carbon emissions with its significant

869
01:10:41,610 --> 01:10:42,910
carbon sequestration.

870
01:10:43,590 --> 01:10:47,050
But the preserves need revenue and continue to need additional

871
01:10:47,050 --> 01:10:52,130
capital improvements. Bringing this referendum to the voters brings this important message

872
01:10:52,130 --> 01:10:57,910
on the forest preserves health to the very people using the preserves and who should know about

873
01:10:57,910 --> 01:11:04,570
the preserves presence and be educated on their presence. Those watching this meeting on

874
01:11:04,570 --> 01:11:11,250
CCTV, I urge you to pick up your phone to Google Cognitive Forest Preserves to find the closest

875
01:11:11,250 --> 01:11:16,770
preserve to you and to go visit it. To educate yourself on the referendum, what it means

876
01:11:17,410 --> 01:11:22,010
and to vote on it and talk to your friends and neighbors about it as well. And that's the way that

877
01:11:22,010 --> 01:11:27,850
this referendum will get passed through all of our intentional work on it, and to make sure that we

878
01:11:28,430 --> 01:11:35,170
are making sure that we support the forest preserves, the animals, the nature, and to resist climate

879
01:11:35,170 --> 01:11:40,550
change with its very presence. And thank you so much to Superintendent Randall for all your work on

880
01:11:40,550 --> 01:11:44,890
not just your work, but your team's work, the community's work,

881
01:11:45,170 --> 01:11:48,150
it's a Commissioner of Suffordin, and to this board who has been

882
01:11:48,150 --> 01:11:51,030
overwhelmingly in support of this over the last several years.

883
01:11:51,390 --> 01:11:51,670
Thank you.

884
01:11:54,980 --> 01:11:55,220
Commissioner.

885
01:11:55,800 --> 01:11:58,980
Thank you.

886
01:12:02,080 --> 01:12:03,460
Thank you, Chairman O'Royal.

887
01:12:04,040 --> 01:12:07,960
I would just like to, first of all, yes, I support the referendum.

888
01:12:08,740 --> 01:12:12,300
And I would like to say to everybody that worked on this.

889
01:12:12,300 --> 01:12:19,760
a good job working on isn't and trying to get the word out, I think that as much as we're

890
01:12:19,760 --> 01:12:24,580
all talking about it and that we're all in favor of it, the one thing we have to remember

891
01:12:24,580 --> 01:12:30,520
is that we have to push this out to the public. So, you know, it's going to take an election

892
01:12:30,520 --> 01:12:35,480
and it's going to take the referendum for the past. We can say all of these good things,

893
01:12:35,960 --> 01:12:42,080
but if the people don't buy in or they don't have a reason to buy in, we're just having

894
01:12:42,080 --> 01:12:51,200
conversation. So we have to make sure we have a robust get out the word on that we need

895
01:12:51,200 --> 01:12:59,100
to support the referendum. When you think about it, you think 10 years from now if we don't

896
01:12:59,100 --> 01:13:04,980
do this and I think this is some of the message that we have to get out. You know, you have

897
01:13:04,980 --> 01:13:09,960
those people that don't go to the forest preserve, but you have those people that go to the zoo.

898
01:13:09,960 --> 01:13:14,500
You have those people that don't go to the zoo, but they go to the botanic garden.

899
01:13:15,320 --> 01:13:39,940
Well, I mean, if you tell them 10 years from now, if you go to the zoo and there's no animals or there's no repair to the elephant house or if you go to look at the polar bears and there's just a tank with no bears or if you go to the botanic garden and it's overgrown and we haven't taken advantage of whatever

900
01:13:39,940 --> 01:13:44,640
new species are out there and the birds are not migrating and they're not coming.

901
01:13:45,240 --> 01:13:50,480
We have to think about all of those things because we could do nothing and if we do nothing,

902
01:13:50,800 --> 01:13:58,640
guess what, nothing happens. The animals leave, the plants leave. So this is a good

903
01:13:59,160 --> 01:14:06,520
if you think about it, it's a legacy that we can leave for the generation that's coming behind us.

904
01:14:06,520 --> 01:14:15,520
So I hope that everybody looks at it that way and even if you don't go to the garden like I said and even if you don't go to

905
01:14:16,680 --> 01:14:21,700
The forest preserve. I don't think there's anybody who doesn't like the zoo

906
01:14:22,440 --> 01:14:26,700
So I mean if you don't if for anything else you don't do it

907
01:14:26,700 --> 01:14:34,480
Remember do it for the zoo and do it for the animals. So that's my pitch. That's what I'm going to say you know do it for the animals

908
01:14:36,360 --> 01:14:38,760
So, I support it.

909
01:14:38,900 --> 01:14:40,280
I'm a superintendent, Randall.

910
01:14:40,420 --> 01:14:41,840
Thank you commissioner for those words.

911
01:14:42,640 --> 01:14:45,640
I think the thing that is really different right now

912
01:14:45,640 --> 01:14:48,740
is that our advocates are driving this.

913
01:14:50,300 --> 01:14:53,020
And we as government employees can say

914
01:14:53,020 --> 01:14:54,300
what the need is all the time,

915
01:14:54,540 --> 01:14:56,780
but when you have advocates who historically

916
01:14:56,780 --> 01:14:59,240
would be on our case, if we weren't doing the right things,

917
01:14:59,760 --> 01:14:59,960
are now

918
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:28,780
I'm fully supporting this and you're going to drive the whole information campaign in all it. So these are folks who are saying, look, the force deserves is doing a better job and they need more resources. And so I know they're working very hard in doing a lot of planning to figure out what that information campaign looks like and as it leads up to a referendum, hopefully referendum vote in November 2022. So that is a big deal because it can't just be us saying it has got to be third party validation.

919
01:15:28,780 --> 01:15:32,620
and I think they're more than willing to do that and we thank them for that support.

920
01:15:34,060 --> 01:15:35,560
Thank you, Superintendent Commissioner Nayah.

921
01:15:36,360 --> 01:15:43,220
Thank you, Chair. Why also support this referendum? I think it's extremely important that we

922
01:15:43,220 --> 01:15:48,400
highlight exactly what the Superintendent just said. I mean we're proud of the board taking this action,

923
01:15:48,640 --> 01:15:58,760
but I think what is most something to be most proud of is the fact that it is going to be

924
01:15:58,760 --> 01:16:06,000
with advocates, with community residents and organizations that have seen the fact that our

925
01:16:06,000 --> 01:16:11,940
forest preserve land of the over 70 plus acres that we have have brought a benefit to the community

926
01:16:11,940 --> 01:16:19,100
and to the region. So I'm extremely proud to be a sponsor. But I'm also proud of what the forest

927
01:16:19,100 --> 01:16:24,960
preserve district has done for everyone in Cook County. My district is all in the city of Chicago,

928
01:16:24,960 --> 01:16:31,360
but I myself have been able to go out there at least once a week to really see what the

929
01:16:31,360 --> 01:16:38,660
lands provide and I be able to carry with a walk with a jog or going to swallow cliff and

930
01:16:38,660 --> 01:16:44,800
you know taking the steps. So I do encourage all of the residents of Cook County to take a

931
01:16:44,800 --> 01:16:50,900
vantage just because you don't live in in an area particularly close maybe two or four

932
01:16:50,900 --> 01:16:55,880
preserve does not mean that it's not there for you. This is a gem that is available to every

933
01:16:55,880 --> 01:17:01,940
single resident in Cook County. So we need to make sure that we continue to push forward for

934
01:17:01,940 --> 01:17:06,380
even residents in the city of Chicago. And some in the suburban Cook County that may have not

935
01:17:06,380 --> 01:17:12,460
had the opportunity to already visit one of the the preserves to really take advantage of this gem

936
01:17:12,460 --> 01:17:17,660
that is not only a gem here in the in the Midwest and the region but throughout the county. I'm sorry

937
01:17:17,660 --> 01:17:23,800
country. So I just want to encourage and I vote as well. And of course, encourage the residents

938
01:17:23,800 --> 01:17:31,640
to take advantage of the programs, the collaboration that exists, and also to really

939
01:17:31,640 --> 01:17:37,000
look at this as an investment for the future for, you know, to combat climate change and to

940
01:17:37,000 --> 01:17:41,780
have a better quality of life for all of the residents. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner

941
01:17:41,780 --> 01:18:13,160
Commissioner Moore. Thank you Chairman. Make sure you can hear me. I'm happy that this body is in support of this referendum. I believe that the public will support this measure. The force preserve the zoo, the botanical garden. They have shown our citizens how important their role is to our health, our well-being of this county. COVID has shown us how important to our mental health and our physical health. And I want to make sure that.

942
01:18:13,900 --> 01:18:18,420
I thank the staff of all three of these bodies of government for their great work, the

943
01:18:18,420 --> 01:18:21,040
zoo, the technical garden, the force preserve.

944
01:18:21,540 --> 01:18:26,140
I personally am proud to sit on the conservation policy council, and I would be remiss

945
01:18:26,140 --> 01:18:32,420
if I did not thank the members, pass and present, forgive me if I am missing one I wrote

946
01:18:32,420 --> 01:18:43,320
the names down, Alan Bell, Michael DeSantiago, Terry Gwen, Emily Harris, Sylvia Jenkins,

947
01:18:43,320 --> 01:18:43,540
Ms.

948
01:18:46,380 --> 01:19:00,130
Maria Pasquira, Laura Ross, Hank Saunders, Shelley Spencer, Mark Templeton, and Wendy Paulson,

949
01:19:00,370 --> 01:19:05,650
Pass and President, special thanks to Benjamin, friends of the force, preserve, and

950
01:19:05,650 --> 01:19:06,530
I urge an aye vote.

951
01:19:07,210 --> 01:19:07,610
Thank you.

952
01:19:09,460 --> 01:19:11,880
Chair Rick and Nights's Commissioner, so best.

953
01:19:12,880 --> 01:19:14,100
Thank you Mr. Chairman.

954
01:19:14,100 --> 01:19:17,860
I'd like to call the order of the litigation subcommittee of the forces or district of

955
01:19:17,860 --> 01:19:18,340
Cook County.

956
01:19:18,600 --> 01:19:20,140
I asked the Secretary to take the roll.

957
01:19:20,460 --> 01:19:21,060
Mr. Britain.

958
01:19:23,360 --> 01:19:23,460
Mr.

959
01:19:26,700 --> 01:19:27,220
Jagdendon.

960
01:19:27,280 --> 01:19:27,920
Mr. Johnson.

961
01:19:32,190 --> 01:19:32,990
Vice Chairman Laura.

962
01:19:41,100 --> 01:19:41,620
Sean Morrison.

963
01:19:42,160 --> 01:19:42,740
Commissioner Sean Morrison.

964
01:19:49,930 --> 01:19:50,310
Are you confident?

965
01:19:50,930 --> 01:19:51,270
President.

966
01:19:55,890 --> 01:19:56,930
Chairman Sylvestery.

967
01:19:57,170 --> 01:19:57,630
Uh, here.

968
01:19:59,150 --> 01:19:59,970
Chairman, you do have a question.

969
01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:11,060
It's committed to just a recess to the call of the church will be immediately following the forces of the meeting. I'd like to call the order of the litigation subcommittee of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

970
01:20:11,240 --> 01:20:12,540
As the secretary to take the roll.

971
01:20:12,880 --> 01:20:13,440
Mr. Britain.

972
01:20:16,520 --> 01:20:17,480
Mr. Degnan.

973
01:20:18,180 --> 01:20:19,020
Mr. Johnson.

974
01:20:20,000 --> 01:20:21,040
Vice Chairman Larry.

975
01:20:22,360 --> 01:20:23,460
Mr. Sean Morrison.

976
01:20:24,560 --> 01:20:25,500
Mr. Nusselfordan.

977
01:20:26,480 --> 01:20:26,500
President.

978
01:20:26,500 --> 01:20:27,080
Chairman Sylvester.

979
01:20:27,980 --> 01:20:28,000
President.

980
01:20:28,000 --> 01:20:35,180
Have you ever been informed as a corpsman will recess through the call of the chair, which will be immediately after the forces are meeting?

981
01:20:35,920 --> 01:20:36,720
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

982
01:20:37,700 --> 01:20:37,780
Commissioner.

983
01:20:38,060 --> 01:20:39,920
Chair recognizes this commissioner, dear.

984
01:20:44,240 --> 01:20:45,540
Thank you so much.

985
01:20:46,200 --> 01:20:46,980
Thank you so much.

986
01:20:47,440 --> 01:20:55,140
I too want to acknowledge the fact that the force preserve has played an integral role in my life.

987
01:20:55,280 --> 01:20:59,580
Not only is commissioner and force preserve commissioner, but from when I was a little taught.

988
01:20:59,580 --> 01:21:06,840
Right? I remember the trips to the bookfields, you. I remember the trips to the cabins.

989
01:21:07,140 --> 01:21:14,920
I remember the trips to the Botanic Garden. And now we're able to continue to do that with individuals

990
01:21:14,920 --> 01:21:19,380
who are coming from underserved communities who need that exposure.

991
01:21:20,280 --> 01:21:26,880
Just this year, we've had a large group of individuals who were able to go out to the Botanic Gardens

992
01:21:26,880 --> 01:21:33,220
for a scavenger hunt, a nonprofit group that is serving,

993
01:21:33,240 --> 01:21:37,380
under-serve individuals who had been victims of trauma and violence

994
01:21:37,380 --> 01:21:40,600
were able to go out to the botanic gardens and guess what?

995
01:21:40,820 --> 01:21:44,720
What I heard back from them is the peace and serenity of the garden.

996
01:21:45,260 --> 01:21:47,280
That's the jewel that we have here.

997
01:21:47,700 --> 01:21:50,080
And so when this was brought up to me,

998
01:21:50,480 --> 01:21:53,700
the first thing I said is, how are we going to pay for it?

999
01:21:53,720 --> 01:21:54,820
Because that's going to call some money.

1000
01:21:54,820 --> 01:22:01,620
I'm all for it. We want to keep our fourth preserves. First, Dean, it is a jewel that we have, but

1001
01:22:01,620 --> 01:22:07,080
how do we pay for it? And then they told me that we're taking it to the people. I say,

1002
01:22:07,280 --> 01:22:14,120
we'll sign me up for that. Because I am a proponent of power to the people. And the people should make

1003
01:22:14,120 --> 01:22:20,960
the decisions about how we spend in their tax dollars. They should have input into that. And so I want

1004
01:22:20,960 --> 01:22:25,960
And thank you, Arnold, for the work that you have done with the Forrest Preserve.

1005
01:22:25,960 --> 01:22:28,880
We are able to continue to enjoy it.

1006
01:22:29,500 --> 01:22:35,420
We are able to enjoy the Brookfield Zoo, which many of our constituents have gone out

1007
01:22:35,420 --> 01:22:37,300
to the zoo on this year.

1008
01:22:38,020 --> 01:22:39,500
Again, it's power to the people.

1009
01:22:40,440 --> 01:22:46,500
And for me, it's all about those individuals who would not have had, would not have had

1010
01:22:46,500 --> 01:22:50,120
an opportunity to be exposed, being able to get that opportunity.

1011
01:22:50,120 --> 01:22:52,060
And for that, I say thanks.

1012
01:22:52,460 --> 01:22:53,540
I urge an aye vote.

1013
01:22:55,140 --> 01:22:55,760
Commissioner Morris.

1014
01:22:56,420 --> 01:22:56,920
Kevin Morris.

1015
01:22:57,660 --> 01:22:58,260
Thank you, Chairman.

1016
01:22:58,460 --> 01:23:06,680
First, I want to begin by thanking the unity of this board and recognizing the vital and critical importance of protecting our force preserve district.

1017
01:23:07,840 --> 01:23:13,120
In the north of the suburbs, we are incredibly blessed to have so much force preserve property from

1018
01:23:13,120 --> 01:23:18,620
Busy woods in Alkro village by Guwap, to Crab tree, to Spring Lake.

1019
01:23:19,980 --> 01:23:27,760
I also want to share my appreciation with all the advocates who have been fighting to not only

1020
01:23:27,760 --> 01:23:33,400
protect our forest visitors, we make sure that we have the funding necessary to safeguard

1021
01:23:33,400 --> 01:23:37,980
these vital and critical carbon sinks into the future.

1022
01:23:37,980 --> 01:23:48,040
You know, it is so crucial as we see the consequences of climate change across the nation

1023
01:23:48,040 --> 01:23:54,760
and in countries across the world that we take into account how important it is to

1024
01:23:54,760 --> 01:23:57,320
read our force reserves of invasive species.

1025
01:23:57,860 --> 01:24:05,380
Our native species are the best carbon sinks that we have with their longer root systems,

1026
01:24:05,380 --> 01:24:13,320
not only do they protect against flooding and erosion, but they also help promote and improve

1027
01:24:13,320 --> 01:24:19,180
our air quality. And so it is critical that we take care of our forest

1028
01:24:19,180 --> 01:24:23,600
bersers into the future. And so I am proud of this board for moving forward on this

1029
01:24:23,600 --> 01:24:28,880
recommendation. And I hope the voters of Cook County agree that we need to

1030
01:24:28,880 --> 01:24:33,600
protect our forest bersers, not just today, but into the future as well. Thank you.

1031
01:24:33,600 --> 01:24:41,040
Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Aguilar, thank you, Chairman, and I like to, you know,

1032
01:24:41,120 --> 01:24:45,920
proud to support this referendum, but I like to echo Commissioner Sam's comments earlier.

1033
01:24:46,100 --> 01:24:50,580
You know, we, we, we, we should promote this referendum with our constituency and our residents,

1034
01:24:50,640 --> 01:24:55,400
you know, just really show the highlights and not just as a recreational part of our county,

1035
01:24:55,560 --> 01:24:59,960
but it's also, it's therapeutic, you know, convincing the forest to deserve. So, whatever I can

1036
01:25:00,000 --> 01:25:04,060
To the joint of the campaign to support this and hopefully encourage our residents to support

1037
01:25:04,060 --> 01:25:09,080
come November, glad to do it. So you got my equipment and I'm sure you got the, you know,

1038
01:25:09,080 --> 01:25:12,280
the committee and our communities. Thank you.

1039
01:25:12,320 --> 01:25:17,580
Thank you, commissioners. Anybody else seeks to speak? Before we go to this roll call,

1040
01:25:17,780 --> 01:25:25,580
I just want to start off by saying an Arnold Rando. I commend you in your staff, Lisa, Steve,

1041
01:25:26,060 --> 01:25:29,900
from top to bottom all the workers out there doing what they do on a daily basis.

1042
01:25:30,000 --> 01:25:40,620
Let's not forget that during this this COVID this last 18 months people took refuge and going to our forced reserves and looking at a lot of the

1043
01:25:40,620 --> 01:25:45,840
B.C.s and a lot of the things that we had in the and the forced reserve and we didn't see much of a decline

1044
01:25:45,840 --> 01:25:51,860
We actually seen more and more people going so that speaks volumes not only that it brings peace to people

1045
01:25:51,860 --> 01:25:58,300
But it brings happiness during some of these these tough times. I'd like to also think all the people that were on the call today

1046
01:25:58,300 --> 01:26:01,640
all the advocates from friends of the park, all their volunteers.

1047
01:26:03,800 --> 01:26:08,440
Missionaries, Sims had said it, this is not just about the force reserve because of our

1048
01:26:09,000 --> 01:26:09,480
allocations.

1049
01:26:09,820 --> 01:26:12,500
This does help with the zoo and the Botanic Gardens.

1050
01:26:13,000 --> 01:26:16,240
When you talk about the zoo, you talk about our families, you talk about our children.

1051
01:26:17,180 --> 01:26:20,380
Botanic Gardens, I like to think a lot of older folks, a lot of seniors,

1052
01:26:21,420 --> 01:26:26,020
Sikh peace in the beauty of what our Botanic Gardens has to share.

1053
01:26:26,020 --> 01:26:32,740
So, I, too, am in support of this, so I would ask now for the secondary vote.

1054
01:26:32,740 --> 01:26:40,140
Go call vote on this item, which is item number 2, 1, 0, 3, 4, 6, which was moved by Commissioner

1055
01:26:40,140 --> 01:26:44,100
Softford and Seconded by Commissioner Aguilar.

1056
01:26:44,920 --> 01:26:50,080
I, Commissioner Aguilar is Commissioner and I, I, Commissioner and I, is I, Commissioner

1057
01:26:50,080 --> 01:26:50,640
Britain.

1058
01:26:50,880 --> 01:26:55,480
I, Commissioner Britain is I, Commissioner Daily, Commissioner Daily is I.

1059
01:27:25,700 --> 01:27:28,500
Mr. Sean Morrison as I commissioner so Vestery.

1060
01:27:28,680 --> 01:27:29,780
Mr. Sylvester as I.

1061
01:27:29,920 --> 01:27:32,180
Commissioner Sylvester as I commissioner Sims.

1062
01:27:32,620 --> 01:27:35,020
Commissioner Sims as I commissioner's suffered it.

1063
01:27:35,220 --> 01:27:38,200
I commissioner suffered and as I chairman of Royal.

1064
01:27:39,680 --> 01:27:42,700
Chairman of Royal as I chairman you have 17 eyes.

1065
01:27:43,160 --> 01:27:46,900
Secretary of Times for me I am number two one zero three four six passes.

1066
01:27:48,880 --> 01:27:49,160
All right.

1067
01:27:50,700 --> 01:27:51,260
All right.

1068
01:27:53,890 --> 01:27:54,170
All right.

1069
01:27:54,170 --> 01:27:54,310
Good.

1070
01:27:54,670 --> 01:27:56,070
Next I item of business.

1071
01:27:56,070 --> 01:28:03,330
Item number 2-1-0-3-6-3 recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee on Litigation, Commissioner

1072
01:28:03,330 --> 01:28:08,470
of Sylvestery, Moose Approval, Seconded by Commissioner Lowry, All those in favour?

1073
01:28:08,890 --> 01:28:09,090
Aye.

1074
01:28:09,610 --> 01:28:10,510
All those opposed?

1075
01:28:11,170 --> 01:28:13,170
In the opinion of the Chair of the eyes have it.

1076
01:28:13,530 --> 01:28:19,730
Next item is Item number 2-1-0-3-6-4, Recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee on Workers

1077
01:28:19,730 --> 01:28:23,690
Comp, Move by Commissioner Morrison, Seconded by Commissioner Britain.

1078
01:28:24,310 --> 01:28:25,130
All those in favour?

1079
01:28:26,350 --> 01:28:29,990
I pose, in the opinion of the chair, the I's have it.

1080
01:28:30,310 --> 01:28:31,810
Chairman, permission or service.

1081
01:28:31,970 --> 01:28:34,930
Are we confident that the litigation and workers'

1082
01:28:35,170 --> 01:28:38,790
Cap reports didn't need a roll call because of the action of the gate?

1083
01:28:39,890 --> 01:28:41,430
I'm sorry, can you repeat that?

1084
01:28:41,670 --> 01:28:44,250
Would they supposed to be a re-call?

1085
01:28:44,410 --> 01:28:47,650
Would they supposed to be a roll call for the litigation in subcommittee

1086
01:28:47,650 --> 01:28:50,130
and the workers' cap subcommittee?

1087
01:28:50,790 --> 01:28:51,050
Lisa?

1088
01:28:52,470 --> 01:28:53,790
We didn't need a roll call.

1089
01:28:54,290 --> 01:29:03,790
Safe to the side, point once, going twice, all those in favor, oppose any opinion of the chair that eyes have it.

1090
01:29:04,590 --> 01:29:06,950
Any other commissioners wish to be recognized at this time.

1091
01:29:07,210 --> 01:29:08,010
They're being none.

1092
01:29:08,210 --> 01:29:13,330
Motion on the floor to adjourn by Commissioner Deer, seconded by Commissioner Naya, all those in favor.

1093
01:29:14,330 --> 01:29:17,410
Opposed, eyes have it, this meeting stands to adjourn. Thank you.