  On Nov. 14, DuPage County Board Members Cindy Cronin Cahill and Sam Tornatore recognized small nonprofits that received assistance from the County in September.
County Board Chair Deborah Conroy and Human Services Committee Chairman Greg Schwarze presented a check to Youth 4 Excellence Director Wendy Williams, who represented all the organizations.
The County’s Human Services Committee approved $653,993.20 in grants through the Small Agency Grant Program, which provided up to $25,000 for 37 County agencies that provide programs and services in the areas of economic development (including job readiness and literacy), education and mentoring, housing and shelter, behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment, or food assistance.
To view a full list of agencies awarded a grant, please visit the County’s website.
DuPage County Board Passes Balanced Budget for FY24
The DuPage County Board on Nov. 28 unanimously approved its Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes a balanced, $625 million spending plan and keeps the property tax rate flat.
“This is a fiscally responsible spending plan that makes critical infrastructure investments which will take the pressure off upcoming budgets,” said County Board Chair Deborah Conroy. “In the coming year, we will provide vital assistance to our residents who need it most, while adding to our reserves and prepaying on County financial obligations. Our careful planning will allow the County to provide an outstanding level of service to our community while building a strong financial foundation for the future.”
The proposed budget includes a $70.5 million property tax levy, which captures new construction in the County being added to the property tax rolls. The DuPage County property tax rate remains flat, comprising just two percent of the average DuPage County homeowner’s property tax bill.
Due to careful financial planning, DuPage County is projected to finish the 2023 Fiscal Year with a surplus of $18.9 million. In her Sept. 26 budget address, Conroy laid out a plan to utilize funds to eliminate future budgetary burdens. The Board approved the plan, including:
- $3 million dedicated to updating and replacing aging County campus infrastructure
- $2.5 million for affordable housing projects in DuPage County
- Additional $2 million for transportation infrastructure
- $800,000 for Stormwater management projects
- $500,000 to design and build sidewalks and improve street lighting in the Willowbrook Corners community
Additional funds from the County surplus and investment income on the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation will be spent to purchase a new camera system in the jail, replace the 50-year-old HVAC system in the County’s 421 Administration Building, add $1 million to General Fund reserves, and establish a dedicated fund to reduce employee accrued benefit liabilities.
DuPage County will also provide $2.6 million to address food insecurity and assist food pantries in the County and more than $1 million to assist small nonprofit organizations.
The 2024 Fiscal Year begins on Dec. 1. To learn more about the FY2024 budget, please visit www.dupagecounty.gov/finance.
Environmental Committee Chair Sheila Rutledge and County Board Members Michael Childress and Cindy Cronin Cahill joined staff and board members from the Addison Public Library for the recertification of their Earth Flag from SCARCE on Oct. 17.
DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy and County Board members, including Michael Childress, helped to pack holiday meal bags and boxes on Nov. 7 at Loaves & Fishes Community Services in Aurora. Thanks to the volunteers and staff who shared information about the food distribution and other community services provided to residents in DuPage, Kane, Will, and Kendall counties.
The DuPage County Board and DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) announced the new DuPage Council on Strengthening the System for Mental Health and Substance Use Care (DCSS) on Nov. 6. This Council is an ambitious transformation of the HOPE Taskforce designed to further integrate countywide efforts to improve mental health and reduce substance use disorders.
The Council is a joint operation of the DuPage County Board and DCHD. The Council will consist of members who specialize in mental health and substance use disorder treatment, recovery, criminal justice, public health, prevention, and education. This Council will include local, and state elected officials as well as community stakeholders and people with lived experience.
DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy and DCHD Executive Director Adam Forker will serve as co-chairs of the Council.
The Council will be supported by an initial annual investment of $250,000 from the DuPage County Board. Funds will support innovative grassroots projects, encourage transformational changes that improve access to care, and seek to educate communities about behavioral health prevalence, risk factors, and symptoms. The goal of the Council is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorder and to encourage those impacted to seek treatment. The Council will support families, caregivers and community members who are also affected.
Families in need can reach out to 211 in DuPage County to be connected to local food pantries and other resources, particularly during this holiday season. Call or visit online at 211dupage.gov. Help is available! |
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DuPage County Board Members Liz Chaplin and Sam Tornatore, who serve as co-chairs of the County’s Ad-Hoc Committee for Housing Solutions, joined DuPage County Community Services Director Mary Keating for a presentation on the County’s affordable housing goals and provided information to the Continuum of Care member meeting at College of DuPage on Nov. 3.
Care Center Receives National Accolades
The DuPage Care Center recently received two prestigious recognitions from national publications.
The Center was named one of the 2024 U.S. News Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News and World Report. The Care Center is listed as High-Performing for both Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care, making it one of just 3 percent of nursing homes nationwide to receive both designations.
The Short-Term ratings are based on an assessment of 10 quality measures, including staffing levels, medical outcomes, and resident complaints. Similarly, the Long-Term ratings are based on an assessment of nine quality measures, including staffing, medical outcomes, resident complaints, vaccinations, and appropriate use of medications.
The DuPage Care Center was also named the third-best nursing home in Illinois by Newsweek Magazine, based on performance data, peer recommendations, management of the COVID-19 situation, and accreditations from The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
Congratulations to the staff of the Care Center on these incredible achievements!
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