Pioneer of Kane County open space dies

Outdoor activities would have been a third as enjoyable in Kane County if not for Jack Cook. The former longtime Kane County Forest Preserve District president and county board member died last week, leaving a legacy of unprecedented open space and enjoyment of nature, former colleagues said.

Cook came to both the county board (board members also serve as forest preserve commissioners) as an appointee in District 20 (Elgin) in 1989. The next year he followed in his father’s footsteps by winning election, where he served until 2004. In the early stages of his political career, Cook was elected by his peers to become president of the forest preserve district.

“He was always concerned about doing the right thing and doing what was best for people,” said former forest preserve Director Jon Duerr. Duerr and Cook became close over the years as Cook’s vision for a more natural Kane County blossomed.

Until state lawmakers instituted the 6-county tax cap, the district had a policy of slow growth, buying property in small increments a year at a time to keep interest rates on borrowing low. Tax cap legislation changed the way the district had to construct its borrowing. That required a new way of doing business, Duerr recalled.

In 1999, the district decided to go to referendum and ask for a tax increase to broaden the borders of the local forest preserves.

“Going into that first referendum Jack called a meeting and polled all 26 district commissioners about what they believed was the right move,” Duerr said. “It basically came down to people concerned with raising taxes and other people wanting the open space. Jack believed the people should decide. And he was right.”

The tax increase was approved, as was a subsequent request. Each passed by better than 60 percent of the vote. Cook then changed the forest preserve district’s committee structure and created both the Land Acquisition and the Utilization committees. Both went to work identifying and purchasing the most useful open spaces in the county for recreational enjoyment.

“Without Jack Cook, the local forest preserves would be about one-third the size they are now,” Duerr said.

Cook also helped create Chicago Wilderness, a regional alliance dedicated to protecting nature and enriching life. The group began with only about a dozen member organizations. Now there are more than 250 organizations involved.

That was the public side of Cook. In his personal life, Cook worked as a pharmacist and carried a deep passion for sports as both a player and coach. Baseball and hockey were his two loves, said Forest Preserve Commissioner Jim Mitchell.

“He was very involved with the Kane County Cougars and just loved them,” Mitchell said. “But Jack’s real passion was hockey.”

Mitchell would like to find a way to marry Cook’s public contributions with his private athletic hobbies. The forest preserve district recently acquired the former Fox Valley Ice Arena. Mitchell plans to investigate any possibility of naming the ice arena after Cook.

“Jack always wanted a hockey team and an ice-skating rink,” Mitchell said. “I think changing the name would really be a deserving honor for him.”

The public can join Cook’s family and friends in honoring him at a memorial service next Friday. Services begin at 4 p.m. at the Elgin Evangelical Free Church, 1900 Big Timber Road, Elgin.