Chicago Park District public meetings in 2023
18 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved the 2024 annual budget and several financial ordinances for 2023. The board also authorized a new collective bargaining agreement and initiated the naming process for two park areas.
- Approved 2024 Annual Appropriation Ordinance and Budget Recommendations (5-0)
- Approved 2023 Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance (5-0)
- Approved ordinance authorizing transfers among operating funds for fiscal year 2023 (5-0)
- Approved collective bargaining agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 399 (5-0)
- Approved 45-day notice period to name Montrose Dunes expansion area as the Monty and Rose Wildlife Habitat (5-0)
- Approved 45-day notice period to name Park No. 581 as the Prairie Park (5-0)
- Approved agreements with contractors for the general contractor services pre-qualified pool (5-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from November 15, 2023 (4-0)
Public Hearing
The Chicago Park District held a public hearing regarding the Proposed 2023 Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance. No public comments or written testimonies were submitted. The minutes record no vote or final decision on the ordinance itself.
- Adjourned meeting (5-0)
Public Hearing
The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to review the proposed 2024 Operating Budget Report and Tentative Appropriation Ordinance. The General Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer provided remarks on budget priorities and details. No votes were taken to approve or deny the budget during this session.
- Adjourned meeting (4-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 annual tax levy ordinance and extended the operating agreement with Troon Golf/Indigo Sport. They also awarded contracts for sewer cleaning services and the Blackhawk Park fieldhouse restoration.
- Adopted 2023 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance (4-0)
- Approved operating agreement extension with Troon Golf/Indigo Sport for golf facilities (4-0)
- Approved contract with The Stone Group, Inc. for power rodding and sewer cleaning (4-0)
- Approved contract with Structures Construction, LLC for Blackhawk Park fieldhouse restoration (4-0)
- Appointed Timothy O'Connell and Megan Wilson as IAPD delegates (4-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from October 11, 2023 (4-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved a land transfer of approximately 4.106 acres of Fernwood Parkway Park to the Chicago Transit Authority. Several service and construction contracts were also awarded. The Board received reports on youth hiring and 2022 financial documents.
- Approved transfer of approx. 4.106 acres of Fernwood Parkway Park to CTA for Red Line Extension (4-0)
- Approved contract with Robe, Inc. for Marquette Park fieldhouse and landscape buildings roof and masonry (4-0)
- Approved contract with Mode Architects for ADA modifications at district polling places (4-0)
- Approved contract with Enviroplus Inc. for district-wide environmental abatement services (4-0)
- Approved contract with Electronic Knowledge Interchange for web-based collaboration system management (4-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from September 13, 2023 (4-0)
Personnel Board
The Personnel Board approved the meeting minutes from June 9, 2023. The board also voted to release the closed session minutes and a portion of the verbatim recording from the April 21, 2022 meeting.
- Approved June 9, 2023 meeting minutes (2-0, 1 absent)
- Approved release of April 21, 2022 closed session meeting minutes (2-0, 1 absent)
- Approved release of a portion of the April 21, 2022 closed session verbatim recording (2-0, 1 absent)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved several bond issuances for harbor improvements and general park funding. They also authorized contracts for outdoor ice rink management and the construction of a children's garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
- Approved issuance of up to $170M General Obligation Limited Tax Park Bonds (5-0)
- Approved issuance of up to $6M General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds for harbor facilities (5-0)
- Approved issuance of up to $15M General Obligation Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds (5-0)
- Approved contract with F.H. Paschen for Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden at Garfield Park Conservatory (5-0)
- Approved contract with Westrec SMI LLC for management and operation of outdoor ice rinks (5-0)
- Approved authorization for Rapid Response Construction Services pre-qualified pool (5-0)
- Appointed Myetie H. Hamilton as Public Building Commissioner (5-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from August 9, 2023 (5-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved the issuance of general obligation bonds for harbor and marina financing and awarded several service contracts. The Board also appointed a new Inspector General and approved the release of specific closed session minutes.
- Approved issuance of general obligation bonds up to $6,000,000 for harbor and marina improvements (4-0)
- Approved contract with Guidehouse Inc. for a comprehensive strategic plan (4-0)
- Approved contracts for firms to enter the architecture and engineering services pre-qualified pool (4-0)
- Approved contract with Cannon Cochran Management Services, Inc. for third-party administrative services (4-0)
- Appointed Peter Neumer as Inspector General (4-0)
- Approved release of closed session minutes from February 15, 2023 and May 10, 2023 (4-0)
- Approved destruction of verbatim records from September 8, 2021 and January 26, 2022 (4-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from June 14, 2023 (4-0)
Public Hearing
The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to receive comments on the proposal to sell up to $40 million in general obligation limited tax park bonds and $6 million in alternate revenue bonds. No votes were taken to approve or deny the bond sales during this session.
- Held public hearing on proposed $40,000,000 general obligation limited tax park bonds and $6,000,000 alternate revenue bonds
- Adjourned meeting (4-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved provisional permits for the Riot Fest, Arc Music Festival, and The Chosen Few Old School Reunion. Other actions included appointing a General Counsel and approving a fee change for the Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Approved provisional special event permits for Riot Fest (7-0)
- Approved provisional special event permits for Arc Music Festival (7-0)
- Approved provisional special event permits for The Chosen Few Old School Reunion (7-0)
- Approved general admission fee change for Museum of Contemporary Art (5-0, 2 recused)
- Appointed Nicholas Cummings as General Counsel (7-0)
- Appointed Steve Lux and Joan Coogan as Trustees to the Park Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago (7-0)
- Approved settlement of Jane Doe v. Chicago Park District (7-0)
- Adopted resolution honoring Commissioner Donald Edwards (7-0)
Decennial Committee
The Committee received an overview of the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act requirements. No substantive policy decisions were made during the meeting.
- Distributed survey to members of the public in attendance
- Adjourned meeting (9-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners elected Myetie H. Hamilton as President and Modesto Valle as Vice President. The Board approved several contracts, including renovations at Garfield Park and IT services, and established a Decennial Committee of Government Efficiency. Provisional approval was granted for the Pitchfork Music Festival.
- Elected Myetie H. Hamilton as President (5-0)
- Elected Modesto Valle as Vice President (5-0)
- Approved establishment of Decennial Committee of Government Efficiency (5-0)
- Approved appointment of members to Decennial Committee (5-0)
- Approved contract with Structures Construction, LLC for Garfield Park cultural center renovation (5-0)
- Approved contract with Canon Solutions America, Inc. for equipment and services (5-0)
- Approved IT services contract modification with Computer Aid, Inc. (5-0)
- Granted provisional approval for Pitchfork Music Festival (5-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved the issuance of up to $60 million in general obligation limited tax park bonds. The board also authorized admission fee changes for two major museums and approved several maintenance and supply contracts.
- Approved issuance of not to exceed $60,000,000 general obligation limited tax park bonds, series 2023A (5-0)
- Authorized change to general admission fee for the Museum of Science and Industry (5-0)
- Authorized change to general admission fee for the Art Institute (5-0)
- Granted provisional approval for Hyde Park Summer Festival special event (5-0)
- Approved contract with Christy Webber Landscapes for Grant Park and Museum Campus maintenance (5-0)
- Approved contracts with J.P. Simons and Midco Electric Supply, Inc. for electrical supplies (5-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from March 15, 2023 (5-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved several service contracts and provisional permits for large-scale events. They also authorized a legal settlement and began a public comment period for proposed code amendments.
- Approved contracts with Marco Supply Co. and Littmann Industries for plumbing supplies (6-0)
- Approved contract with AltaWorx, LLC for VOIP telecommunication services (6-0)
- Provisionally approved JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge and Bank of America Chicago Marathon (6-0)
- Approved settlement for Joseph Dulong v. Chicago Park District (6-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from February 15, 2023 (6-0)
- Initiated 45-day public comment period for proposed amendments to Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District
Public Hearing
The Chicago Park District held a public hearing to receive comments on a proposal to sell not to exceed $60,000,000 in general obligation limited tax park bonds. The funds are intended for capital improvement programs, including land acquisition and facility maintenance. No registered speakers or written testimony were submitted.
- Held public hearing on proposal to sell up to $60,000,000 in general obligation limited tax park bonds
Personnel Board
The Personnel Board approved the job descriptions and salaries for two seasonal positions. The board also approved the meeting minutes from December 12, 2022.
- Approved job descriptions and salaries for Beach Safety Ambassador (Minimum Wage) and Program and Event Assistant ($17-$18/hour) (3-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from December 12, 2022 (3-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved several land transfers, equipment contracts, and special event permits. They also formally consented to the landmark designation of Promontory Point in Burnham Park. All substantive votes passed with 6-0 tallies, with one commissioner absent.
- Approved designation of Promontory Point in Burnham Park as a City of Chicago Landmark (6-0)
- Approved acceptance of ~3.59 acres for park expansions and transfer of ~0.24 acres of Jackson (Robert) Park to the City of Chicago (6-0)
- Approved contracts with Shorewood Home & Auto and Russo Hardware, Inc. for landscape mower maintenance and repair (6-0)
- Provisionally approved special events: Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, Fifth Third Bike the Drive, Hot Chocolate Run Chicago, and 2023 Won-Day Gospel Music Festival (6-0)
- Approved resolution for reimbursement of expenditures (6-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from January 25, 2023 (6-0)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved general admission fee changes for the Field Museum and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. They also authorized contracts for broadband connectivity and cultural center renovations at Austin Town Hall, Douglass Park, and Humboldt Park.
- Approved general admission fee change for Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (4-1)
- Approved general admission fee change for the Field Museum (4-0)
- Approved amendments to Chapter XI of the Code of the Chicago Park District (6-0)
- Approved contract with F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen and Associates, LLC for cultural center renovations (5-0)
- Approved contract with Windstream Holdings, Inc. for broadband connectivity (5-0)
- Approved intergovernmental agreements to accept funds and services for park projects (5-0)
- Approved resolution honoring retirees (6-0)
- Approved release of closed session minutes for five dates and destruction of verbatim records for three dates (5-0)