DuPage County District 5 March Newsletter

March 2019 newsletter for DuPage County Board District 5

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dupage county news
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.


Water Commission Earth Flag

Earth, Water Quality Flags Presented to DuPage Water Commission

County Board member Jim Healy, who also serves on the DuPage Water Commission, joined other commissioners in accepting an Earth Flag and Water Quality Flag from SCARCE for the Commission’s efforts to be environmentally friendly.


Board Members Fill, Deliver Valentines Balloons

Renehan balloons

County Board members Sadia Covert and Dawn DeSart 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!


NACo

Healy Attends NACo Conference

County Board member Jim Healy joined other County Board members in advocating for DuPage County at the annual National Association of Counties conference in Washington, D.C. in March.


Salt truck

DuPage County Wins Award for Road Salt Sustainability Program

Jim Healy, DuPage County Board member and Vice Chairman of the County's Transportation Committee, recently announced that DuPage County received a Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award for its environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt.


DeSart MLK Day

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 Dawn DeSart met with representatives from the organizations prior to the meeting.


Healy Public Works

Healy Promotes Plan to Modernize Public Works Facilities

Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Healy meets with staff at the Greene Valley Wastewater Facility during discussions about the 20-year infrastructure improvement plan for the Public Works department.


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.


Sadia Covert invocation

Covert Leads Invocation Before County Board Meeting

Board member Sadia Covert delivered the Feb. 12 County Board meeting’s invocation with a reading from the Quran.


Jail tour

County Board Members Tour Jail Facility

Sheriff James Mendrick led County Board members including Sadia Covert and Dawn DeSart on a tour of the DuPage County Sheriff's Office and Jail this afternoon.


Cronin Casten inauguration

Cronin, DeSart Welcome Crowd to Casten Inauguration

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and County Board member Dawn DeSart 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.

DeSart Casten inauguration

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 Releases Ridership Survey

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.

MEET DISTRICT 5

Meet District 5

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.