Palos Township Republican Organization

1 week ago

STATEMENT ON THE VILLAGE OF ORLAND PARK & FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY LAND SWAP

As Cook County Commissioner representing the southwest suburban region including the Village of Orland Park, I’m pleased to announce the recent ‘Land Swap’ agreement between Orland Park and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC).

The ‘Land Swap’ between Orland Park and FPDCC includes land along 143rd Street and the Orland Park Nature Center. FPDCC will receive 27 acres of wetlands and bird sanctuary, and park land while Orland Park receives one acre of FPDCC ‘Right of Way’ land along 143rd Street.

The exchange of land will provide benefits to the entire region. First, the wetlands and bird sanctuary which sits directly to the east of McGinnis Slough along LaGrange Road will now become an addition to the FPDCC. And for Orland Park, the acquisition of land along 143rd Street (to the west of Park School) is vital to the proposed improvements slated for the street to mitigate congestion and improve traffic flow.

It’s taken several years to get here, but I’m pleased to see Orland Park and the Forest Preserve District finally reach an agreement that benefits all parties, especially our residents. The agreement protects wetlands and will play a vital role in addressing traffic congestion along 143rd Street. Thank you to the Forest Preserve District administration, and to former mayor Keith Pekau for seeing this agreement over the finish line on May 5, his final days in office.

— Commissioner Sean M. Morrison ... See MoreSee Less