[Advocacy-outreach] Invitation for CCGA join the Coalition to support the Forest Preserves of Cook County/Vote Yes or No in Reply

[Lorraine Kells]

Hello all,

This invitation came to CCGA from Openlands, and a number of us would like
to see the referendum supported by CCGA with CCGA as part of the
coalition.  Motions must be made and seconded before voting.  Without a
meeting before August, we will lose the chance to participate in the
conversation. We could be listed as a coalition member in the upcoming Cook
County Board meeting July 27. We're all busy in our gardens and sooo tired
of zoom meetings.  Let's just get this done in email. ASAP, please, please.

*I move that:  CCGA Supports the Forest Preserves of Cook County Referendum
and joins the coalition supporting the referendum to provide funds to pay
the cost of conserving and restoring land to good health, protecting the
water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, providing natural flood water
storage, protecting wildlife habitat, protecting forests to improve air
quality, improving and maintaining existing forest preserves and trails.*

*Seconded by May Toy *(in Communications Team emails)

Here's what you need to know: Urban forests are a valuable resource; they
help to filter air and water, control stormwater, conserve energy, and
provide animal habitat, and for Chicago community gardeners, they give us
shade and add beauty and form to our neighborhood landscapes.

The Cook County’s board of commissioners has thrown its unanimous support
behind a proposal for a ballot referendum that would put a property tax
increase for the forest preserves, all 70,000 acres, directly in the hands
of voters, allowing voters to decide if they want to make an investment in
the future of our forest preserves. This measure is expected to be placed
on ballots in the November 2022 election, so for CCGA there is time to
garner support among community gardeners and those who value an urban
forest to help make an impact for the passage of this referendum.



“The referendum, as it currently stands, would propose raising the existing
forest preserve taxing rate by .025% to a total of .076%, which would add
approximately $40 million to the district’s coffers. For a single family
residence in Cook County with a fair market value of $100,000 at the time
of the referendum, the increase in annual taxes would be $7.29, according
to the resolution presented to commissioners.”


*Please Reply with a Yes or No vote.  *More information can be provided
upon request



Read a WTTW News report
https://news.wttw.com/2021/06/22/forest-preserve-property-tax-referendum-likely-headed-ballots-2022


See the full referendum at

https://fpdcc.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4994273&GUID=34E39ACB-1C59-4CA9-A717-FB47FA073FA5&Options=&


Lorraine
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