Former Kane County Board member and long-time Forest Preserve Commission president Jack E. Cook will have a preserve named in his honor later this year. A resolution honoring Mr. Cook, who died Feb. 1 at the age of 86, was adopted by the forest preserve commission on March 8. In acknowledging Mr. Cook's man contributions to Kane County, commission president John Hoscheit, of St. Charles, called him "one of our best ambassadors" and credited him with providing the impetus that led to a successful, on-going, open-space protection strategy that has garnered overwhelming public support.
"Jack was responsible for initiating the Forest Preserve's land acquisition and improvement program. He dedicated his heart and soul to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County," said Hoscheit.
What is now referred to as the Far West Elgin Regional Park, an undeveloped 224-acre tract of land located on Plank Road, just west of Switzer Road, will be renamed for Mr. Cook , a lifelong resident of Elgin and county board representative from the city from 1989 to 2004. He was forest preserve commission president for eight years, from December, 1992 until December, 2002 . Mr. Cook also helped create Chicago Wilderness, a regional alliance dedicated to protecting nature and enriching life. Once developed by the city and forest preserve district the Jack E. Cook Forest Preserve and park will feature both active and passive recreation.
The Elgin City Council issued a proclamation Feb. 9 recognizing Mr. Cook for his "outstanding services to the citizens of the Elgin community throughout his life, both in the private and public sector, including having been the proprietor of Parkview Drugs, Cook�s Pharmacy and Manor Pharmacy; serving in the army in World War II and the Korean War; and having recently served on the City of Elgin�s Veterans Memorial Park Committee resulting in the funding and construction of the Veterans Memorial Park"
The Illinois House of Representatives adopted a resolution (HR59) Feb. 15 expressing sadness at Mr. Cook's death and acknowledging his contributions to Elgin and Kane County. State Rep. Keith Farnham (D-Elgin) sponsored the resolution.
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