Two new sites in the Forest Preserves of Cook County were granted increased protections by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission for being high-quality or important habitats. Elizabeth Conkey Woods near Palos Heights was named an Illinois Nature Preserve, while Bergman Slough in Palos Park was named a Land and Water Reserve.Elizabeth Conkey Woods Nature Preserve—a 180-acre portion of Elizabeth Conkey Forest Preserve— features mesic woodland, mesic floodplain forest and sedge meadow. Numerous native and migrating birds have been spotted at the site, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, vireos, 19 species of warblers and northern waterthrush.Bergman Slough Land and Water Reserve has undergone restoration and prairie and savanna reconstruction efforts since 2001; the site now contains restored prairie, savanna and marsh habitat. Located next to Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve, Bergman Slough Land and Water Reserve provides good quality habitat for 21 wildlife species in greatest need of conservation, as well as protects headwaters of Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve located northwest of the site.With the recognition of these two sites, the Forest Preserves of Cook County now manages 26 dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves and five Illinois Land and Water Reserves—the most of any local entity in the state.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

With news stories across the country, including Chicago, reporting on massive safety precautions being taken by businesses and residents, it’s disconcerting to see so many cities ‘boarding up’ their downtown districts. After a summer of chaos and destruction, this situation raises a legitimate question to the elected leadership charged with providing safety for the public.

Will Mayor Lightfoot and Governor Pritzker take all of the necessary safety precautions to keep our communities and our residents safe in the face of potential unrest?
It is my hope that we do not have a repeat of what was allowed to occur this past summer. I look forward to hearing from both the mayor and the governor regarding all of the safety measures they are enacting to preserve law and order over the next coming days regardless of the outcome of the election.

It’s imperative that the public is reassured that their safety and well-being will not be jeopardized or exploited for political purposes.

Commissioner Sean M. Morrison

17th District – Cook County

CONTACT: Sean.Morrison@cookcountyil.gov or call 708-349-1336 (P)

Prior to 2020, Cook County translated election ballots to include the languages of English, Spanish, Chinese and Hindi. Cook County is pleased to announce it has been expanded this year to include the additional languages of Arabic, Polish, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Tagalog and Gujarati. These additional languages will allow voters the ability to more readily process information found on the ballot. https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/your-voter-information