Cook County Forest Preserves $189 million budget marks ‘new era’ with referendum cash – Chicago Tribune/MSN

Last November, voters overwhelmingly authorized a 0.025% increase in the preserves’ property tax levy, raising an additional $40 million that officials said they would be spent on maintenance at facilities such as the Chicago Botanic Garden and Brookfield Zoo, land restoration and pension payments. The proposed budget also brings the total head count up to 721 from 633 two years ago.