TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a one (1) day permit to Friends of the Chicago River to access District real estate at 25 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and Cal-Sag Channel in Cook County, Illinois for its annual Chicago River Day cleanup event on May 9, 2026. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
Since 1998, the District has issued Friends of the Chicago River (“Friends”) permits to host an annual Chicago River Day cleanup event on various parcels of District real estate. Friends has requested another one (1) day permit for this year’s Chicago River Day cleanup event, which will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and Cal-Sag Channel in Cook County, Illinois.
Friends requests to access District real estate at the following 25 locations:
1. Canal Shores Golf Course, Evanston
2. Evanston Ecology Center, Green Bay Rd. to Emerson St., Evanston
3. Harbert Park, Dempster to Main Street Rd, Evanston
4. Beck Park, McDaniel Ave. and Lyons St., Evanston, NSC Parcel 3.03
5. Skokie Sculpture Park, Main St. to Dempster, Evanston
6. Park No. 538, West Arthur Ave. to West Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood
7. Lincolnwood Centennial Park, Lincolnwood
8. Lincoln Village Shopping Center, North Lincoln Ave./West Hood Ave
to West Devon Ave., Chicago
9. Legion Park, Peterson to Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago
10. River Park, Chicago
11. Ronan Park, Chicago
12. NeighborSpace, West Berteau Ave. to West Montrose Ave., Chicago
13. Horner Park, Chicago
14. California Park, Chicago
15. Clark Park, Chicago
16. Summit Boat Launch, Summit, MC Parcel 34.03
17. Lemont’s Future Park, Lemont, MC Parcel 23.04
18. Centennial Trail, Lemont, MC Parcel 23.09
19. Centennial Trail, Lemont, MC Parcel 22.07
20. Lake Katherine Nature Preserve, Palos Heights
21. Lucas Berg Site, Worth
22. Crestwood, Cal-Sag Channel Parcel 11.04/East and 11.04/West
23. Alsip Boat Launch, Cal-Sag Channel Parcel 11.01
24. Ann Street, Blue Island, Cal-Sag Channel Parcels 14.05 and 14.07
25. SEPA Station 3, Blue Island
On Chicago River Day, Friends’ volunteers will collect debris along the Chicago area waterways. As in prior years, Friends has requested the District to provide a boat to collect the debris and District Police to make periodic patrols during the event to monitor the activities and open and close the gates at the Lucas Berg site.
The permit will require that Friends provide the District with releases signed by each participant and the parent or guardian of a minor participant. The permit will also require that when accessing leased parcels, Friends must obtain the tenant’s written consent.
The District's technical departments have reviewed the request and have no objections thereto.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a one (1) day permit to Friends of the Chicago River to access District real estate at 25 locations along the North Branch of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Main Channel, and Cal-Sag Channel in Cook County, Illinois for its annual Chicago River Day cleanup event on May 9, 2026. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:MM:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for February 5, 2026
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