Statement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Caldwell Woods Incident

We have worked very hard since 2010 to make the Forest Preserves of Cook County a welcoming and safe place for all. An incident in Caldwell Woods on June 14 in which a visitor to the Preserves was verbally harassed was appalling and completely unacceptable. I am very sorry for the experience the young woman had to endure and I’m further troubled by the lack of response and action by the initial officer on the scene.  The Forest Preserves immediately launched an investigation into the incident. That investigation is ongoing and the officer involved has been assigned to desk duty pending the outcome. We take such incidents seriously, and if the investigation confirms the officer did not take appropriate steps to ensure public safety, disciplinary action will follow.