DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and Board of Health President Sam Tornatore welcomed U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, Bill Foster, and Lauren Underwood to the opening of the DuPage County Community Vaccination Clinic in February at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. Board member Greg Hart attended the event and spoke to members of Congress about the impact of COVID 19 on the county and region.
The DuPage County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health partnered to expand the operations of the County’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Clinic in March, which will allow for increased hours of operation and vaccinating residents at a quicker pace.
The County also expanded COVID-19 vaccine appointments to people eligible in Phase 1B+, including persons 16 to 64 years old with comorbidities and underlying conditions, as well as individuals with disabilities. The clinic operates by appointment only from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The clinic will continue to be operated and staffed by Health Department employees and volunteers, while the state will provide the vaccine supply necessary. With the additional vaccines, the clinic will have the ability to operate at capacity and administer more than 1,000 vaccines per day. Vaccinations will continue to be available by appointment only. To register, please visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine.
18th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Ken Popejoy welcomed Illinois Supreme Court Justice Michael Burke, DuPage County Board Judicial and Public Safety Committee Chairwoman Julie Renehan and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Mary FitzGerald Ozog for a media tour of the renovations completed at the Judicial Office Facility. County Board member Greg Hart attended a separate tour of the upgraded facilities. The DuPage County Board allocated $13 million in federal COVID relief funds for public health improvements as a response to COVID-19.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Early Voting Underway
Early voting is currently underway! In-person voting is taking place at the DuPage County Fairgrounds until April 5. Voting takes place on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To see a list of early voting sites, visit www.dupageco.org/election.
Student Workers Needed
The DuPage County Clerk’s Office is looking for student workers for the April 6 election. Students will need to work from about 6:30 to 10 p.m. and will be paid $11 an hour. A Social Security number and driver’s license or student ID will be required. If you have questions, please contact the Clerk’s Office’s Election Division at (630) 407-5618.
Sustainable Design Challenge Registration Opens
DuPage County Stormwater Management and SCARCE are now accepting project proposals from local high school students for the 15th annual Sustainable Design Challenge. Registration will be open through April 16, and final projects are due April 23. For information on participating in this year’s challenge, visit www.scarce.org/sustainable-design2021.
County Announces Transportation Plan
DuPage County’s Division of Transportation announced its 2021 Highway Capital Program on Feb. 16, which focuses on maintaining and improving the County’s infrastructure. For additional information and to view a full list of the DuPage County transportation projects, visit www.dupageco.org/dot/construction.
DuPage County Animal Services is offering several springtime community education events. Animal Services Committee Chairman Brian Krajewski recorded this video educating families about the pitfalls of buying so-called “Easter” pets. This spring, residents may register for virtual sessions about pets and pet ownership at www.dupageco.org/animalservices. Webinars can be found under the Upcoming Events tab.
In February, County Board members Greg Hart and Julie Renehan joined Chairman Dan Cronin to present a proclamation honoring advocates who worked to shut down the Sterigenics facility in Willowbrook when it was learned the facility was emitting dangerous levels of ethylene oxide.
Looking for a way to support your local community? Giving DuPage Board member Greg Hart is encouraging residents to take part in Giving DuPage Days! This fundraiser will take place from April 26 to 30 with a goal to raise $300,000 for more than 100 local nonprofit organizations serving DuPage County.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, countless residents turned to community organizations for services. Giving DuPage Days is a countywide event to create awareness and raise funds for organizations that:
- Provide food to insecure populations
- Advocate for abused, neglected children
- Create housing solutions and services
- Teach educational and literacy programs
- Serve seniors in our community
- Deliver access to healthcare & medical support services
- Empower people with disabilities
- Offer programs for children and youth
- Foster pets and sheltering animals
To learn more, visit www.givingdupageday.org, or email givingdupage@dupageco.org.
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Judicial and Public Safety Chairwoman Julie Renehan hosted a special call meeting exploring the fiscal impact of the SAFE-T law on DuPage County. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T law in February. The Chief Judge, Probation Office, Sheriff, Public Defender, Circuit Clerk, State’s Attorney, and County staff provided presentations.
County, College of DuPage Unite Against Racism
Chairman Dan Cronin and the College of DuPage have partnered on Unite Against Racism, a collaboration that explores racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. This spring, the County and College have launched the E4 discussion series that will explore equity in economics, education, and enforcement of the law. To watch the first panel discussion exploring economic opportunities for minority business owners in DuPage visit youtu.be/Q6J5qV9y-mw.
To learn more about this initiative and to read a blog post about the County’s efforts, go to www.cod.edu/about/chaps-unite-against-racism/blog/important-countywide.aspx.
 County Board Recognizes Black History Month
DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin welcomed representatives from the College of DuPage and historian Glennette Tilley Turner to accept the County Board’s annual proclamation honoring Black History Month on Feb. 9. Turner and COD collaborated with the County and experts from the DuPage Historical Museum and Naper Settlement on a video history of the Underground Railroad in DuPage County. To view the video, please visit www.facebook.com/watch/?v=451918689191346.
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