Public hearing scheduled for October 15; departmental reviews slated for October 28
During a special meeting of the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners, Board President Toni Preckwinkle introduced the Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget Recommendation.
The total budget request for all funds for Fiscal Year 2027 is $206.9 million, an increase of 6.6 percent over the 2026 budget.
“This is a responsible budget that is balanced and within our means,” said President Preckwinkle. If approved, this budget will allow the Forest Preserves to maintain ongoing programs for ecological restoration, public engagement and events, improved amenities and critical maintenance.
The Corporate budget request, which funds day-to-day operations at the Forest Preserves, is $103 million, an 11 percent increase over 2026. The increase—higher year-over-year than what has been typical for the Forest Preserves over the past decade—is due to rising costs across the board for energy, goods, contracted services and personnel.
“These increases do not stem from decisions to expand programs or initiatives,” said President Preckwinkle. “For the third year in a row, the number of full-time positions in the Preserves remains stable, and construction and other funds are largely the same or even lower than in 2026.”
By capturing inflationary growth, the proposed total property tax collection by the Forest Preserves for Cook County residents will increase from 2026 by approximately $3.9 million for a total of $151.1 million. Other primary revenue sources in the budget include personal property replacement taxes revenue totaling $12.1 million and nontax revenues totaling $11.5 million.
The Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the budget recommendation at 10 a.m. on October 15. The Finance Committee will meet again at 9:30 a.m. on October 28 to conduct departmental reviews and will then reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on November 17 to consider amendments and a final vote on the executive budget recommendation.
Public comments for the Public Hearing and the Department Reviews may be submitted in person at 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, in writing, virtually on Microsoft Teams or over the phone. Sign-up and submission information for these meetings will be made available at https://fpdcc.legistar.com/.
The Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget Recommendation can be reviewed online at https://fpdcc.com/2027budget/.
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About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.