In the period for public comment, both Openlands and Friends
of the Forest Preserve endorsed both the process and the plan for capital
improvements for the Forest Preserve.
They praised the inclusive process of open meetings with communities in
close proximity to where the capital improvements will occur.
Forest Preserve capital improvements include $138 Million
from 2014 through 2018, $71 Million of which is for 2014. Improvements include trail construction, the
biggest of which is the continuation of the Cal-Sag trail, overnight campground
reconstruction and new construction, habitat restoration, and building
improvements. View the Capital Improvements Plan at the Forest Preserve District website.
Cook County Board Meeting 10:00 am
Commissioner Murphy was the only absent commissioner.
Public Comment: The
Respiratory Health Association supports the ordinance to limit e-cigarettes to
discourage young and first time smokers.
One in 10 high school students has tried an e-cigarette already. There are 10 known carcinogens in
e-cigarettes.
Mayor Williams of Lynwood spoke in opposition to a change in
rules to appoint an Inspector General to investigate municipalities and/or
offices that have not undergone financial audits in the past two years. He expressed that his town produces financial
audits on a regular basis and shouldn’t have to do more. Commissioner Suffredin corrected the Mayor
and said that the Inspector General audit was only to be used for entities that
do not self-audit.
Sharon Moroney spoke from the Election Judge Commission to
complain that too many times in the city of Chicago a Democrat is appointed to
represent a Republican election judge in certain precincts. An Illinois statute states that each precinct
be required to have Republican and Democratic judges present during an
election. President Toni Preckwinkle and
other commissioners agreed with her and lamented the practice, but said that it was
the Republican Party’s job to find precinct judges for every election.
The Consent Calendar was approved.
There was a resolution honoring Deborah Parish-Hooks, an
educator and community leader.
The Rules Committee recommended that the Board eliminate the Violence
Prevention Committee, and that the Committee's $1.9MM budget be
transferred to the Justice Advisory Council.
Although Commissioners Fritchey and Sims did not like the idea of
funding a committee and transferring funds to another entity, the Board voted
to eliminate the committee with Suffredin and Fritchey opposed.
The Board voted to give the CTA $2MM.
The E-Cigarettes ordinance was approved unanimously. It prohibits sales to anyone under 18, and
requires the product to be stored behind the counter, like cigarettes.
The Board voted to approve a resolution supporting designation as a National Park of the Pullman Historic District in Chicago. It has
been a National Landmark since 1970.
Park designation will attract better funding and more attention to the
area.
Submitted by Amy Little and Pat Lind UPDATED 3/3/14 to correctly identify the observers.
