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

[Philip Englert]

I vote yes.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 20, 2021, at 5:08 PM, Julie Samuels via Resources <resources at chicagocommunitygardens.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> I vote Yes!
> 
>> On Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 12:15 PM Lorraine Kells via Finance <finance at chicagocommunitygardens.org> wrote:
>> 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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>> Finance at chicagocommunitygardens.org
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> -- 
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