DuPage County District 2 Updates for Summer 2021

Summer 2021 newsletter for DuPage County Board District 2

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Fallen Officers Memorial Week

Board Members Honor Fallen Police Officers

District 2 County Board members Liz Chaplin, Pete DiCianni, and Paula Deacon Garcia attended a wreath-laying service at the DuPage County Complex with Sheriff Jim Mendrick and State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in recognition of National Police Week on May 12.


Chairman Cronin Provides COVID Vaccine Update

Chairman COVID update

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and Health Department officials provided an update on vaccination efforts at an April 30 press conference attended by County Board members Liz Chaplin and Paula Deacon Garcia. DuPage County leads the state in vaccination rates, with 65 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated.

Board members attending COVID update

Budget survey is live!

County Budget Survey is Live!

DuPage County residents can share their views regarding programs and initiatives important to them by completing the County’s annual budget survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY2022Budget.

Each year, the DuPage County Board asks the residents to provide their thoughts pertaining to County programs and spending priorities.

The survey will stay open until Labor Day weekend.

                   

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Rental Assistance Available
DuPage County residents who are behind on their rent due to COVID-19 may be eligible for up to $25,000 in emergency rental assistance from the Illinois Housing Department Authority (IHDA).

DuPage County is partnering with IHDA to help eligible DuPage households receive up to 15 months of assistance for payments from June 2020 through August 2021. Applications and details, including a list of documents needed to apply, are available at ilrpp.ihda.org. Residents can email ILRPP@IHDA.ORG or call (866) 454-3571 for more information.

Get Vaccinated and Win $1 Million
It’s not too late to get your COVID-19 vaccine! The County’s Community Vaccination Clinic is accepting walk-ins at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. To check the clinic's schedule, or to learn more about the vaccine or other County efforts during COVID-19, please visit www.dupagehealth.org/667/COVID-19-Vaccine.

The state recently announced a new vaccine lottery with $10 million in total prize money for residents who get vaccinated against COVID-19. To learn more about the lottery, visit allin.illinois.gov.

Register for Animal Webinars
DuPage County Animal Services has a variety of webinars for pet owners taking place every Thursday. Topics range from Pet Training 101, information about foster programs, and so much more. To see what classes are available, or to register for a webinar, please visit www.dupageco.org/animalServices.

                   

 

E4 Diversity Series video

Panel Discusses Juneteenth, Racial Equity

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin teamed up with College of DuPage’s Dr. Nathania Montes and hosted DuPage NAACP President Michael Childress, DuPage Airport Authority Chairman Steve Davis, COD’s Interim Assistant Dean Sonia Watson, and COD English Professor Jason Snart for a panel discussion on lessons learned through our year-long community conversations on race, equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is the final part of the E4 Series, Equity in Economic Opportunity, Education, and Enforcement of the Law, a partnership with the County and the College of DuPage. As we celebrate Juneteenth, the panel explores ways to keep the valuable, timely conversation going. To watch the full conversation, please visit youtu.be/4aWSuMhHslQ.


DuPage County, College of DuPage Win National Award for Diversity, Inclusion Series

DuPage County and the College of DuPage have been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

NACo recognized DuPage County’s “Collaborative Conversation on Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” in the Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation category. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and representatives from College of DuPage developed the series following racial protests last summer. Together, they sought a productive, meaningful way to involve local officials, students, and residents in a community conversation dealing with the difficult topics of equity, inclusion, discrimination, race, and social justice.

The resulting initiative was designed to help both internal and external audiences reflect, share, and act, with stories meant to educate from a personal perspective. Video projects, blog posts, interviews and panel discussions explored the past and present and sought concrete ways DuPage residents could unite against racism.

Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.


Autism Awareness Month

DiCianni, County Board Celebrate Autism Awareness Month

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and Board member Pete DiCianni presented a proclamation recognizing Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month to Tom Cross and Jen Buckley of Aurora University on April 27. The university announced a new program for college-bound students on the autism spectrum. To learn more about the program, please visit aurora.edu/pathways/index.html.


Mental Health Awareness Month

County Proclaims May Mental Health Awareness Month

On May 11, Chairman Dan Cronin presented a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month to County Board member Paula Deacon Garcia and DuPage County Health Department representatives. The Health Department has several resources available for anyone who needs help.


Asian American Awareness Month

County Board Declares May Asian-American Heritage Month

Chairman Dan Cronin presented a proclamation recognizing May as Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Tuesday's County Board meeting. Cronin presented the proclamation to Pastor Brian Park with Restoration Community Church in Naperville, Nancy Chen with the Illinois AARP, and Sophia Luo with the Xilin Association.


Sikh Awareness Month

DuPage County Designates April as Sikh Awareness Month

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and Board member Liz Chaplin presented a proclamation recognizing April as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month to Rajinder Singh Mago of the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine.

MEET DISTRICT 2

Meet District 2