Members of the American Indian Health Services of Chicago and the St. Kateri Center of Chicago led a special Winter Solstice Ceremony at Whistler Woods in 2020.

Tell Your Commissioner to Put the Forest Preserve Referendum on the Ballot!

WHO: President Preckwinkle and your Forest Preserve Commissioner

WHAT: Vote in favor of putting the Forest Preserve Referendum on the March ballot

WHY: The Forest Preserves of Cook County are important to YOU!

Tell President Preckwinkle and your Commissioner that you want the opportunity to vote in support of clean air and water, green jobs, educational programs for kids, improved habitat for wildlife, and better access and an improved experience for all Cook County residents and visitors.

WHEN: Call or email TODAY!

The board must take action to support this initiative at their October board meeting in order for all of us to have the opportunity to vote on this in March. Please call or email now.

Step One: Call President Toni Preckwinkle at 312-603-6400.
Step Two: Call or email your Commissioner. Find your District here: Chicago or Suburbs.

Please see the attached resource guide to find contact information as well as suggested talking points!

Background
The Forest Preserves of Cook County play an important role in helping to provide clean air and water by protecting and improving natural areas and conserving wetlands and lands along rivers. These natural areas also provide children a place to play, explore nature safely, and stay mentally and physically fit. The Forest Preserves of Cook County have big plans for improvement and recently adopted the “Next Century Conservation Plan,” which calls for restoring wildlife habitat, protecting more land to keep our water and air clean, and expanding opportunities for people to connect with nature. But they need more resources to ensure the preserves are here, healthy, and accessible for us and future generations to enjoy. Additional support is also needed for the world-renowned Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden, which are Forest Preserve properties.

That’s where you come in! We need your help in letting President Preckwinkle and your Forest Preserve Commissioner know that you want the opportunity to vote in support of clean air and water, education programs for kids, improved habitat for wildlife, and better access and an improved experience for all Cook County residents and visitors. A coalition of advocacy organizations, including the Friends of the Forest Preserves community, are calling on Forest Preserve Commissioners to put a referendum on the March Ballot so that we, the voters, can choose to increase funding for this important work. But they won’t take the risk if we don’t show them that we support the preserves and the essential services and opportunities they provide us, our kids, and future generations.

For more information contact Benjamin Cox, Friends of the Forest Preserves at 312-356-9990 or benjamin@fotfp.org.