Thursday, May 05, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times
by STEVE PATTERSON

Cook County Forest Preserve commissioners spent an hour Wednesday arguing whether new signs should include the name of board president John Stroger.

As they argued, they agreed it was "utterly ridiculous" and "a waste of time" to continue arguing over something "just silly," but then proceeded to continue arguing further about the signs' size, shape and graffiti resistance.

They spent far less time discussing a proposed land swap with a south suburban steel mill, rent increases for those living in district housing or a $1 million computer and finance consulting contract.

Commissioners took three hours before finally honoring two employees for service and hearing public comments. By the end of it all, they voted to defer any decisions on the land swap, rent increases or consulting contract -- and voted to seek bids for new forest preserve signs with Stroger's name on them.

Commissioner Mike Quigley asked the board to "focus this much energy" on more pressing matters, such as whether the district was violating its land-use policy by even considering the request from International Steel Group to swap acres in Whistler Woods for acres across the street from its Riverdale facility.

Commissioner Deborah Sims has been pushing to give up 22 acres and receive 31 acres, contending that development from a potential plant expansion outweighs any district policy restricting land swaps.

Quigley, however, cited the just-passed land-use policy which requires a series of notices and hearings before the board can even consider a land swap request.

"Why do some people who don't have a forest preserve in their district feel like they control the district?" Sims angrily asked.