 Find a COVID-19 Testing Site Near You
As we approach the end of summer, and more DuPage County residents find themselves in need of a COVID-19 test, DuPage County has developed a map showing all the COVID-19 testing sites in the County and the surrounding area. The site also provides hours of operation, site requirements, and more. If you need a test, this is a vital tool to help you!
DuPage County Complete Count Committee Encouraging Final Census Push
The U.S. Census is in its final six weeks, and the DuPage Complete Count Committee is urging residents to complete their Census forms.
DuPage County’s self-response rate is currently at just under 80 percent, which ranks third in the nation among counties with a population greater than 500,000, however we need to increase the response rate.
“We cannot underestimate the value of increasing our U.S. Census response rates. DuPage County’s level of federal funding is highly dependent upon on our population. The only way to obtain the level of federal funding we are owed is if everyone fills out their Census information,” said Sadia Covert, Chairwoman of the DuPage Complete Count Committee. “This money will be used to fund states and counties, but also for schools, hospitals, roads, and other vital programs. There is so much at stake with this Census.”
Beginning this month, the U.S. Census Bureau is following up in-person with households nationwide that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. Based on the current nationwide self-response rate, the Bureau estimates it will need to visit about 56 million addresses to collect responses in person.
In most cases, census workers will make up to six attempts at each housing unit address to count possible residents. This includes leaving notification of the attempted visit on the door. The notification will include reminder information on how to respond online, by mail, or by phone. In addition, census workers may try to reach the household by phone to conduct the interview.
After exhausting their efforts to do an in-person interview with a resident of an occupied housing unit, they will seek out proxy sources – a neighbor, a rental agent, a building manager or some other knowledgeable person familiar with who resides in the housing unit – to obtain as much basic information about the occupants as possible.
Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the household language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does.
“It has never been easier to submit your information for the Census. You can do it online, over the phone, or by mail, all without having to meet face-to-face with someone during a pandemic,” said DuPage Complete Count Committee Vice Chairman Jim Healy.
Your information is safe, secure, and confidential, and by law cannot be shared with any law enforcement or immigration agencies.
To fill out your Census form or to learn more about the U.S. Census, please visit 2020census.gov.
 Provide Feedback on the County Budget
Time is running out to fill out the County’s annual budget survey! This survey provides residents the opportunity to provide their thoughts pertaining to County programs and spending priorities. The information helps shape next year’s budget and determines spending levels for County’s various programs. Take the survey now: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY2021Budget!
Larry and Nick Gualano delivered 100 face shields to the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in July. Larry owns Standard Rubber Products SRP Co. in Elk Grove Village. He and his son talked with OHSEM Director Murray Snow about the County’s collection and distribution of PPE to first responders. County Board member Dawn DeSart helped facilitate the donation.
The DuPage County Clerk’s office recently sent Vote by Mail applications to all voters for the Nov. 3 General Election in compliance with emergency legislation to offer voters an alternative to voting in-person during COVID-19. Voters selecting Vote by Mail are requested to complete the mailed application and drop it in the mail as soon as possible. No postage is required. Voters may also securely apply online at www.dupageco.org/Election/VoteByMail.
Ballots will not be mailed out until Sept. 24. It may take four to five business days to receive a ballot after it is requested. Voters will continue to have the option of casting ballots during Early Voting or at Election Day polling places.
DuPage County will also have two secure ballot dropboxes on its Wheaton campus. One will be located in the parking lot located south of the 421 administration building, and the second will be located inside the 421 building by the main entrance.
County Board members Dawn DeSart, Mary FitzGerald Ozog, and Jim Zay joined Treasurer Gwen Henry and Auditor Bob Grogan to greet Congressmen Bill Foster and Sean Casten for a tour of the County’s COVID testing facility.
Chairman Dan Cronin joined State Rep. Jim Durkin and State Sen. John Curran for a tour of the Pillars Community Health COVID-19 testing site at the Anne M. Jeans Elementary School in Willowbrook. As of Aug. 24, the Pillars testing site moved to Burr Ridge Middle School, 15W451 91st St. To make an appointment, please call 708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) and follow the prompts.
County Board member Sadia Covert joined the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition on July 25 to discuss diversity and how best to build bridges between communities.
The DuPage County Board on Tuesday approved $1.5 million to provide low-income students with internet service.
Under the agreement approved by the County Board on Tuesday, school districts will find appropriate vendors to provide internet service at no cost to low-income students, and all or some of the costs will be reimbursed by the Regional Office of Education. Many school districts throughout the County have moved to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds for the program came from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Funds must be spent by Dec. 15.
The DuPage County Board voted Aug. 11 to put three referendum questions on the November 2020 General Election ballot.
Two questions seek the voters’ opinion on law enforcement issues: The first asks about funding for law enforcement while the second asks about law enforcement training methods. The third question asks voters about whether the County should stockpile personal protective equipment to protect against a further outbreak of COVID-19.
The referendum questions will appear on the ballot as follows:
- "Shall DuPage County continue to consider financial support of law enforcement and public safety its top budgeting priority?"
- "In order to fight the spread of COVID-19, shall DuPage County obtain a stockpile of personal protective equipment for distribution to nursing homes, first responders, health care providers, and at risk communities who are not otherwise able to obtain personal protective equipment?"
- "Shall DuPage County continue to fund and support training methods that decrease the risk of injury to officers and suspects for local law enforcement agencies?"
The 2020 General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Click here to learn more about the referendum questions.
County Board member Sadia Covert recently served on two virtual panels discussing important events. In July, she joined the Naperville Complete Count Committee (above) for a panel discussion about the importance of filling out the census. In August, she joined State’s Attorney Bob Berlin for a discussion on hate crimes. Covert worked with state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit on strengthening the hate crime legislation in Illinois.
The DuPage County Board voted in July to allocate $43 million in federal relief funds to reimburse DuPage municipalities for qualifying expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 response.
DuPage County received more than $161 million in federal funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and was the only government agency in the county to receive a direct allocation from the U.S. Treasury. The DuPage County Board established the Local Government Municipal COVID-19 Reimbursement Program to provide a portion of these federal funds to assist DuPage cities, towns and villages, recognizing the increased expenses all local governments have incurred as they provide additional government services during the pandemic.
Municipal governments are required to submit eligible expenses that were incurred due to the COVID-19 public health response. COVID-19-related expenses may include sanitizing village halls, public buildings, or emergency vehicles; technology costs related to working from home and social distancing requirements; increased costs of police and fire response; purchase of personal protection equipment; and many other costs.
The DuPage County Board awarded a total of $1 million to 56 local nonprofits through the DuPage County Human Services Grant Fund in July. The County Board created this fund to partner with local agencies that directly serve the needs of DuPage County residents.
The grants are available to organizations that promote self-sufficiency and help families achieve independence, ensure the protection of children and other vulnerable residents, and maximize prevention opportunities to strengthen families' well-being and stability.
The grants range from $2,683 to $45,000. The agencies were required to be registered as a 501(c)(3), serve a broad geographical area of DuPage County and have made a substantial impact on County residents for at least three years.
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