DuPage County District 6 March Newsletter

March 2019 newsletter for DuPage County Board District 6

View this email in your browser

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.


Board Members Fill, Deliver Valentines Balloons

Bob Larsen balloons

County Board members Bob Larsen, Sheila Rutledge, and Jim Zay 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!

Rutledge balloonsZay balloons

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.


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.


Water Commission Earth Flag

Earth, Water Quality Flags Presented to DuPage Water Commission

Jim Zay, Chairman of the DuPage Water Commission and the DuPage Stormwater Committee, accepted an Earth Flag and Water Quality Flag from SCARCE for the Commission’s efforts to be environmentally friendly.


Rutledge Care Center fundraiser

Rutledge, Eckhoff Raise Funds for Care Center

County Board members Sheila Rutledge and Grant Eckhoff took part in the Celebrity Bartender Night, held at Cooper’s Corner, raising funds on behalf of the DuPage Care Center.


Casten at Health Department

Congressmen Casten Meets with County Board, Health Department

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten met with County Board member Bob Larsen 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.


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 members Sheila Rutledge and Jim Zay met with representatives from the organizations prior to the meeting.

DeSart MLK Day

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.


Jail tour

County Board Members Tour Jail Facility

Sheriff James Mendrick led County Board members including Sheila Rutledge on a tour of the DuPage County Sheriff's Office and Jail this afternoon.


Zay Glenbard North

Zay Discusses Government with Glenbard North Students

County Board Vice Chairman Jim Zay spoke with juniors and seniors of the Glenbard North High School Young Men's Service League about job opportunities in government and politics.


DOT tour

County Board Members View Transportation Facilities

County Board member Sheila Rutledge 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 condition.


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 Announces Weekend Ridership Survey

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 6

Meet District 6

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.