 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.
 County Board members Greg Hart and Julie Renehan filled and delivered Valentine's Day balloons and delivered them to residents of the DuPage Care Center. More than 800 balloon wishes brightened the winter day for Care Center residents. Thanks to all who donated!
 Krajewski Honors Animal Services Volunteers
DuPage County Board member Brian Krajewski chairs the County’s Animal Services Committee which recently honored the department’s 260 active volunteers and fosters. Krajewski celebrated the 14,280 volunteer hours contributed at the DuPage County Animal Shelter, which represents a 3,300 hour increase over 2017. This represents a value to the county of more than $350,000 in value for those volunteer hours. Thanks to all who volunteer on behalf of DuPage’s needy animals!
DuPage County received a Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award for its environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt.
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 Chairman Dan Cronin and County Board member Greg Hart 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.
County Board member Julie Renehan joined the County’s Division of Transportation for a tour of the County’s transportation facilities and to learn how staff prepare for winter storms and hazardous road conditions.
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.
County Board member Greg Hart joined other County Board members at the annual National Association of Counties conference in Washington, D.C. in March.
County Board member Julie Renehan was interviewed by Hinsdale Central High School sophomore Benjamin Walsh, who is working on a Boy Scout merit badge. He and Renahan talked about local government’s reach, the shutdown of the Sterigenics plant, and ideas about how young people can get involved in local issues important to them.
County Board member Greg Hart leads a meeting of the HOPE Taskforce, which discussed ways to continue the fight against the opioid epidemic in DuPage County.
 Congressmen Casten Meets with County Board, Health Department
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten met with County Board members Greg Hart and Julie Renehan 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.
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 has released two surveys seeking public input regarding train schedules. The first survey focuses on the BNSF schedule, seeking information about commuter riding habits and preferences. The second survey is an effort to identify ways to improve and boost weekend ridership. The surveys will remain open until March 17.
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