A "YES" Vote for Cook County Forest Preserve 2021 Pandemic Budget and a Renewed Call for a Referendum to Save Our Forest Preserves

On November 17, 2020, I voted for a pandemic maintenance 2021 Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget because it is the best, we can do in this COVID world. The reality is that all our revenue sources have been adversely affected by COVID and the recession. This budget does the best that can be done to use reserve funding and excellent management to let the District survive to live another year.

A year ago, I voted No on the 2020 budget because it failed to protect the work that had been done to restore our land and had no long-range plan. I had hoped the voters would pass a tax referendum during either the 2020 General Primary or the 2020 General Election. Unfortunately, there was not the will on the Forest Preserve Board to put the issue on the ballot. Therefore, the voters were denied an opportunity to set a positive financial course for the District.

This budget is the fourth caretaker’s budget which does not address the actual needs to protect our land resources and strengthen the commitment to the future. In the past 4 years I have called for a referendum to give our voters a voice to increase real estate tax funding to do three things: 1. Approve funds to expand restoration services on our land; 2. Acquire additional land while some still exists; and 3. Increase our subsidies to the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Without the referendum we are stuck with limited revenues and no vision for the future.

Our Forest Preserves land survives because of the thousands of hours that our volunteers give to protect our vast and diverse holdings. We all owe these dedicated volunteer workers a thank you for their service.

As a Non-Home Rule unit of local government, the Forest Preserve District can only raise funds through property taxes, fees, or any other authorization the Illinois General Assembly may grant. Tax cap limits on non-home rule units of governments have crippled the Forest Preserve District’s ability to keep up with inflation. In addition, unfunded mandates from the State have put a pension burden on the District as well as limited our ability to properly protect the land.

A referendum would have given the voters the right to decide what level of taxation would have been appropriate. The referendum campaign would have highlighted the stormwater protection our lands provide all, the carbon reduction our trees and other vegetation provide to improve our air quality and the recreational and educational opportunities the land offers. Unfortunately, the positive discussion this campaign would have raised never happen.

Now the 2021 budget is the best we can do because of the limitation COVID has given us.

This Budget is the sixth to have input from the Conservation Council whose role is to help us create a clear vision for the future. The Council has called for the last six years to expanded land restoration and land acquisition. COVID will not allow for this vision.

The Budget maintains the current level of support for the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Brookfield Zoo. This funding level does not allow them to adequately serve the public. Before COVID millions of people visit and learn about conservation and the environment from these two jewels that anchor our outreach and educational programming. Neither the Garden nor the Zoo can continue their level of excellence without increased funding. Last year’s budget forced us to increase fees to help the Garden and the Zoo survive.

Finally, this budget is the best we can do in the COVID/recession world we find ourselves. Next year I look forward to a firm commitment for a referendum and a COVID free budget.