 DuPage County, DuPage Foundation Launch New Partnership
Chairman Dan Cronin and County Board members presented a $10.6 million check to the DuPage Foundation at its Feb. 22 meeting. These funds will support a new strategic grantmaking partnership known as the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership.
DuPage County approved an agreement in January to provide $10.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding for the Foundation to implement a grant program to support social service not-for-profit organizations helping DuPage County residents most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will focus on providing assistance for food insecurity, housing instability, mental health and substance abuse.
Guidelines will be developed over the next few months and an announcement regarding the application process will be made in spring 2022.
Chairman Dan Cronin and County Board member Paula Deacon Garcia presented a Black History Month proclamation to Janice Guider and members of the County’s Board of Health to recognize the Health Equity and Access Response Team (HEART), which works to ensure that all residents of DuPage County have access to health services and information so they can get the care they need.
 State’s Attorney’s Employee Recognized for Animal Defense
State’s Attorney Bob Berlin presented an award from the Animal Legal Defense Fund to Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Rabulinski at the Feb. 23 County Board meeting for her prosecution of a deadly 2019 kennel fire and two aggravated animal cruelty cases in 2020. The recognition came during National Justice for Animals Week.
County Board member Pete DiCianni sponsored a recent proclamation honoring the life of Chicago Police Officer Ella French, who was born and raised in DuPage County and killed in the line of duty on Aug. 7, 2021. The proclamation was presented to Elizabeth French, Ella’s mother, Chicago Police Officer Patrick Shannon (second from left), and retired Chicago Police Officer Dominick Ciccola.
DuPage County Launches Online Permitting System
DuPage County residents no longer need to file permit applications in-person. On Jan. 31, DuPage County launched its new online permitting system, allowing residents to apply for permits from home.
The new system will allow for electronic submissions of several types of permits, including building permits, highway permits, utility permits, zoning entitlements, and more. It will also allow residents to track the progress of their permit application online as DuPage County moves to a paperless permitting program.
The permitting system will bring the Building and Zoning, Division of Transportation, and Public Works departments into the existing system that has been utilized by Stormwater Management for the past three years.
To apply for a permit, visit the appropriate website for your permit: dupageco.org/buildingzoning, dupageco.org/DOT, or dupageco.org/publicworks.
County Board member Liz Chaplin received a proclamation from the County Board on Jan. 25 recognizing Kawasaki Awareness Day. Chaplin also provided information to the Board about the disease, which can be dangerous to young children.
DuPage County Community Services is accepting applications for two programs that provide funds for income-eligible residents for who need help paying water and energy utility bills.
Heating and Energy
Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which can be used to assist households with their natural gas, propane, and electric bills, are being accepted through May 31. Emergency furnace assistance is also available.
LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service. Households must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the LIHEAP Program.
The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP and PIPP are based on federal poverty guidelines, state median income, and the number of persons living in the household. Please visit www.dupageco.org/LIHEAP to find income limits.
For more information, including where you can apply, or to schedule an appointment, please call (630) 407-6500 or (800) 942-9412 (toll-free), or visit dupageco.org/LIHEAP.
Water and Wastewater
Applications for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to assist income-eligible households with their water and wastewater fees will be accepted through Aug. 31, 2023, or until funds are depleted. Income-eligible homeowners and renters may receive one-time assistance to help with water and wastewater bills, reconnection of water service, and water bill arrearages.
Households must have a past-due bill of at least $250 and be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the LIHWAP program. To find limits for households, please visit dupageco.org/lihwap.
Applications will be taken by appointment only at DuPage County Community Services, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. Appointments can be scheduled by calling Intake and Referral at (630) 407-6500 or toll-free at (800) 942-9412.
Road construction season will soon be underway! The DuPage County Division of Transportation announced its 2022 Capital Program on March 1, focusing on maintaining and improving the County’s infrastructure.
The 2022 Highway Capital Program proposes nearly $53.5 million in federal and County funds to maintain existing infrastructure, while also implementing projects to improve safety and relieve congestion. Fifty-three lane miles of DuPage County highway are due to be patched and resurfaced under the plan. These projects will improve rideability and extend the service life of existing pavement.
The larger projects in 2022 include:
- Intersection improvements and resurfacing on 75th Street from Millbrook Drive to Greene Road
- Intersection improvements and resurfacing at 87th Street and Woodward Avenue
- Expanding the County’s Central Signal System to include an additional 100 traffic signals
For additional information and to view a full list of the DuPage County transportation projects, visit dupageco.org/dot/construction.
DuPage County and SCARCE are now accepting project registrations from local high school students for the 16th annual Sustainable Design Challenge. Scheduled for April 5, 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) curricula in local high schools. All DuPage County high schools are encouraged to participate.
Registration will be open through March 25. Schools may opt to participate in person or virtually. For in-person participation, safety measures will be enforced, and judging will be held in shifts. For information on participating in this year’s challenge, visit scarce.org/sustainable-design-2.
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