Latest news with #ForestPreserves
Chicago Tribune
25-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Toni Preckwinkle picks new Cook County Forest Preserves boss
After a year and a half without a permanent leader, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has nominated a new head for the county's Forest Preserves. On Wednesday, she named Adam Bianchi as her pick to become the district's new superintendent. Her choice will face a vote from the Forest Preserves board — which has the same members as the Cook County board — next week. If approved, Bianchi would fill the shoes left by longtime Forest Preserve Superintendent Arnold Randall, who had run the district for 13 years and left to lead the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. Bianchi comes from Colorado, where he served as District Ranger for the White River National Forest's Dillon Ranger District an hour west of Denver. There, he managed 312,000 acres of trails, wilderness areas, two major reservoirs, 14 campgrounds, and four ski resorts, including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, according to a county release. Cook County's Forest Preserves — one of the oldest and biggest in the country — include 70,000 acres of campgrounds, trails, boating centers, picnic groves and golf courses. 'This marks an exciting opportunity in my career dedicated to conserving forests, wildlife habitats and wetlands, while expanding access and welcoming more people to connect with their incredible public lands,' Bianchi said in the release. He has worked for the USDA's forest service for his entire career, according to his LinkedIn. This would be his first time working in the Midwest since 2016, when he was a district silviculturist for the Ottawa National Forest in Kenton, Mich., helping control and manage the growth of the forest. 'Over the last 15 years, the Forest Preserves has transformed as an institution, becoming a leader in ecological restoration in a highly developed landscape, in connecting a diverse population to the wonders of nature, and in operations and transparency,' Preckwinkle said in the same release. 'Adam Bianchi's experience, energy and perspective are an outstanding fit as General Superintendent for the next chapter of the Preserves.' Asked at an unrelated press conference why it took so long to fill Randall's vacancy, Preckwinkle said the county's search priority was replacing Israel Rocha, who exited the county's health and hospitals system around the same time as Randall. After a year, the county chose Dr. Erik Mikaitis — who had already been serving as interim CEO — to fill Rocha's role. If confirmed, Bianchi would inherit a healthier budget than his predecessors, thanks to a voter-authorized property tax hike that's allowed the district to spend more on conservation efforts, buying new land, maintaining the Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden, and paying down pension debts.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Reanna Hammad: Missing Orland Park woman found dead in woods near Palos Township, officials say
The Brief Reanna Hammad, 21, of Orland Park, was found dead around 5:50 a.m. Sunday in a wooded area of unincorporated Palos Township. She was last seen by her mother Friday morning and may have been near Speaks Woods later that day, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have not released details on the cause of death or whether foul play is suspected; the investigation is ongoing. COOK COUNTY, Ill. - A missing 21-year-old woman from Orland Park was found dead early Sunday in a wooded area in unincorporated Palos Township, authorities said. What we know Cook County Forest Preserve officials confirmed Reanna Hammad's body was discovered around 5:50 a.m. in Spears Woods by a search party. Forest Preserves of Cook County police are leading the investigation. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is working to determine her cause of death. The backstory Hammad was reported missing Friday after her mother last saw her at 11 a.m. at their home. According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, evidence suggests Hammad may have been in the vicinity of Spears Woods later that day, near West 87th Street and South LaGrange Road. She was described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black sweater, black pants and a black hijab. What they're saying "The Orland Park Police Department expresses our deepest condolences to the family of Reanna Hammad of unincorporated Palos Township. The body of Reanna Hammad, 21, was discovered on a walking trail in a forest preserve in unincorporated Palos Township. The Cook County Sheriff's Office is conducting the investigation. No foul play is suspected," the police department shared on Facebook Sunday evening. What we don't know Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of her death. The investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story, and we'll bring more updates as they become available.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bald eagle found dead in Busse Woods likely died from bird flu, officials say
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – A bald eagle found dead in Busse Woods likely died from bird flu, according to officials. The Forest Preserves of Cook County said on Feb. 3, a member of the public told the Forest Preserves that they saw a dead bald eagle on the ground in Busse Woods. The bird was then collected and sent in for pathology. Hundreds of ducks found sick or dead along Lake Michigan as outbreak of H5N1 bird flu hits Chicago area Officials said the results gave 'all indications that the bird died of avian influenza,' commonly referred to as bird flu. Officials designation for cases of bird flu are made by the federal veterinary diagnostic laboratory. With cases of bird flu rising across the region and country, the Forest Preserves said testing for the illness has become a priority. DuPage County wildlife officials euthanize bald eagle displaying signs of bird flu In spite of cases rising, however, officials claim they have not seen a rise in bird deaths in the preserves. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
