DuPage County District 1 March Newsletter

March 2019 newsletter for DuPage County Board District 1

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dupage county news
CRS award

DuPage County Receives CRS Award

Development Committee Chairman Sam Tornatore and Stormwater Committee Chairman Jim Zay presented Chairman Dan Cronin with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System award at a recent County Board meeting.

For the first time, DuPage County earned a CRS rating of 6, meaning unincorporated residents in floodplains are eligible to receive up to a 20 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums. DuPage County officially became enrolled in the program Oct. 1.

The Community Rating System (CRS) program credits government agencies for efforts that go above and beyond standard flood protection for property owners. Following evaluation, a community receives a rating on a scale from 1 to 10, and a corresponding reduction in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program premium is offered to the community’s residents.


Casten at Health Department

Congressmen Casten Meets with County Board, Health Department

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten met with County Board members Ashley Selmon and Sam Tornatore and local social service agency leaders to discuss the impact of January’s federal government shutdown during a roundtable discussion at the DuPage County Health Department.


Joe Block retirement

Puchalski Celebrates Block’s Retirement

County Board member Don Puchalski joined members of the community in saluting former Addison Village Manager Joe Block who recently retired after 40 years of public service.


Black History Month

County Board Celebrates Black History Month

Chairman Dan Cronin and the County Board presented a Black History Month proclamation to DuPage Airport Authority Chairman Steve Davis and Tyler Thomas, graduate of the Tuskegee NEXT program operated at the DuPage Airport. The program provides training to at-risk youth interested in pursuing careers in aviation. So far, 32 young people have completed the program and 27 have obtained their pilots’ licenses. To learn more about the Tuskegee NEXT program, visit www.tuskegeenext.org.


DuPage County, SCARCE Hosting 13th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge

DuPage County and SCARCE are now accepting project proposals from local high school students for the 13th annual Sustainable Design Challenge, scheduled for April 16.

The Sustainable Design Challenge encourages students to construct building and landscape models using environmental- and water-friendly design practices. In addition to inspiring students to explore careers in urban planning, architecture, and engineering, the competition promotes environmental and stormwater education within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum in local high schools.

Registration will be open through April 3, and the projects will be on display to the public at DuPage County’s JTK Administration Building (421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton) on Tuesday, April 16 from 9 to 11 a.m.

For information on participating in this year’s challenge, visit www.scarce.org/event/2019-sustainable-design-challenge.


Martin Luther King proclamation

County Board Honors MLK Day

Chairman Dan Cronin presents a proclamation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy, and call to service to the Unity Partnership and nine national African American fraternities and sororities who have answered the call to help others in their communities. County Board member Ashley Selmon met with representatives from the organizations prior to the meeting.

MLK proclamation

Transportation tour

County Board Members View Transportation Facilities

Transportation Committee Chairman Don Puchalski joined other County Board members for a tour of County transportation facilities and discussed preparations for this winter’s record cold and the season’s snowfall events.


Salt truck

DuPage County Wins Award for Road Salt Sustainability Program

DuPage County received a Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award for its environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt.


Cronin Casten inauguration

Cronin Welcomes Crowd to Casten Inauguration

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin welcomed hundreds gathered at the DuPage government center for U.S. Congressman Sean Casten’s inauguration ceremony and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s keynote address.


DuPage County Announces 2019 Scholarship Program

The DuPage County Department of Community Services is offering college and occupational training scholarships for low-income individuals with high academic potential.

The Community Services Block Grant scholarship supplements the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and other school-related items for a semester or a quarter to offset the student’s needs. This scholarship is funded and designed in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Applicants are required to provide proof of DuPage County residency, gross household income for the past 90 days and information about members living in the household. Income for the household must be at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Applicants must also include a 500-word original essay or personal statement, official school transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a Financial Aid Audit (financial aid award letter) and proof of enrollment in an Illinois accredited institution.

The scholarship award amounts will vary this year from $500 to $2,500, and special consideration is given to students interested in high-technology fields or other occupations in emerging fields.

Applications are available at the DuPage County Department of Community Services Office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, or online at www.dupageco.org/CSBG. Completed applications and support documents must be received by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 3.

For more information, contact the DuPage County Department of Community Services at (630) 407-6500, or call the toll-free number at (800) 942-9412. TTY access is available at (630) 407-6502.


Metra Opens Survey on Weekend Ridership

Metra has released a survey seeking public input identifying ways to improve and boost weekend ridership. The surveys will remain open until March 17.

MEET DISTRICT 1

Meet District 1

DuPage County Events

County Board meetings – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
The DuPage County Board meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Daylight Savings Time – March 10
Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour and change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors!

City Club Address – April 4
Chairman Dan Cronin will address the City Club of Chicago on Thursday, April 4. Click here for ticket information.

Tax Bills Go Out – April 30
The DuPage County Treasurer will mail 2018 tax bills on April 30.

Memorial Day – May 27
County offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. 

1st Tax Installment Due – June 3
The first installment of DuPage County property tax bills is due before Monday, June 3.