All Week Long
One of the greatest benefits of the Forest Preserves of Cook County is how they protect our natural and cultural heritage.
Our County is home to a unique confluence of natural communities, with hundreds of diverse species of plants and wildlife. Within our Preserves, you can explore woodlands, prairies, savannas and wetlands. Visit Sand Ridge Nature Center and nearby preserves in southeast Cook County to learn about dune-and-swale landscapes that were created by the receding glacial Lake Chicago. In northeast Cook County, remnants of what was once called the “Big Woods” can still be found at Harms Woods and Perkins Woods. Check out our Ecosystems Page to learn more about the many different natural communities in Cook County.
This season—and all year long—I am grateful the Forest Preserves helps protect our area’s history so that people today and for generations to come can explore and experience the many wonders of our natural and cultural heritage.
Originally published on chicago.suntimes.com 11/4/2019 | Image: Alex Wroblewski/Sun-Times; Seth Perlman/AP
Cook County Democratic Party leaders voted unanimously Monday to ask former state Rep. Luis Arroyo to step down from their ranks — and plan to send a letter to indicted Ald. Ed Burke requesting he relinquish the party post he’s held for more than half a century.
Originally published on http://www.beverlyreview.net/ 11/5/2019
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed pilot program to cut the cost of tickets for riders at stations in Chicago and increase service on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines would put our region on a long-term path toward sustainable, affordable transit options for all residents.
The Results are In: The Forest Preserves of Cook County received three “Best of the Best Awards” during the Illinois Association of Park Districts Awards Gala!
Intergovernmental Cooperation
Forest Preserves’ partnership with the Housing Authority of Cook County for the Conservation Corps’ Forest Preserve Experience program
Best Green Practices
Forest Preserves’ Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Plan
Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year
John Navin, volunteer steward at Poplar Creek
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control (CCARC) is now accepting applications for its Housing Cook County’s Animals grant program. Housing Cook County’s Animals is an $8 million program that covers the costs of planning and construction of animal shelter facilities in Cook County. The goal of the program is to expand the capacity of existing nonprofit and governmental animal shelters to address current overcrowding, while providing housing for animals impounded by the CCARC.
“It is vital that we safeguard all animal residents of Cook County have a safe shelter in times of need,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “The Housing Cook County’s Animals grant program will ensure that animals are not turned away because of overcrowded shelters.”
Originally published on chicago.suntimes.com 11/6/2019 | Image: Colin Boyle/Sun-Times
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday requested an independent review of a county agency tasked with helping get vacant homes back on the market after the head of the agency admitted a sale involving a building owned by a top aide to 34th Ward Ald. Carrie Austin never should have been allowed.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported on the insider deal involving the Cook County Land Bank Authority and a building that Austin’s chief of staff Chester Wilson Jr. owned at 103rd Street and Corliss Avenue.
“Public trust in the Land Bank’s transactions and mission is critical to its continued success,” Preckwinkle said in a statement. “Consequentially, Commissioner Bridget Gainer and I have requested an independent review to be conducted of the Land Bank’s processes and procedures to evaluate its handling of the Corliss Ave. property and to provide recommendations to ensure future transactions are not in question.”
Paid for by Preckwinkle for President. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board's official website, http://elections.il.gov/, or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. All contributions are reported to the State Board of Elections. Contributions are not accepted from employees of Cook County. Companies holding contracts with the Cook County are limited to $750.
Political contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.