Near Bankrupt With Underfunded Pensions: Cook County forest preserve buy is largest in 45 years

The Chicago Tribune reports:

A judge has approved the Cook County Forest Preserves' $14.5-million purchase of a nearly 400-acre equestrian estate in Barrington Hills known as Horizon Farms.

The decision, announced by the Forest Preserve District on Tuesday, clears what the agency describes as its single largest land acquisition in about 45 years. The preserves now hold slightly more than 69,000 acres of land in Cook County.

Arnold Randall, the preserves' general superintendent, said the land was coveted partly for its large tracts of open space, wetlands and native bird habitat.

The property will be closed to the public "pending a full site assessment and any necessary improvements for access and public safety," the Forest Preserves said. The agency said it would soon begin creating a site plan, with public input.

Shouldn't they be selling land to raise cash for public pensions?