Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County Human Services Committee met July 1

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. CALL TO ORDER

9:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Greg Schwarze at 9:30 AM.

Chair Schwarze entertained a motion to allow member Kari Galassi to participate remotely.

Member LaPlante so moved, Member DeSart seconded, all ayes on a voice vote, motion passed.

2. ROLL CALL

Other Board members present: Member Saba Haider

Staff in attendance: Nick Kottmeyer (Chief Administrative Officer), Joan Olson (Chief Communications Officer), Finance staff, Natasha Belli and Gina Strafford-Ahmed (Community Services Administrators), Mary Keating (Director of Community Services), and Janelle Chadwick (Adminstrator of the DuPage Care Center).

PRESENT Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze

REMOTE Galassi

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comments were offered.

4. CHAIR REMARKS - CHAIR SCHWARZE

Chair Schwarze thanked Joan Olson for doing such a wonderful job last week with the Small Human Services Grant presentation. Joan in turn stated it was a team effort, noting the county board office and thanking staff from Community Services’ Communications, Brett Kuras and Katherine Kosloski for their outstanding assistance.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

5.A. 25-1643

Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, June 17, 2025

RESULT: APPROVED

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Dawn DeSart

6. COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARY KEATING

6.A. FI-R-0111-25

Acceptance and appropriation of additional funding and extension of time for the ILDCEO Community Services Block Grant PY25, Inter-governmental Agreement No. 25-231028, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1650, from $1,269,609 to $1,401,491 (an increase of $131,882). (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Dawn DeSart

SECONDER: Paula Garcia

6.B. HS-P-0028-25

Awarding resolution issued to Arcos Environmental Services, Inc., to provide mechanical (HVAC) and architectural weatherization labor and materials, for the Weatherization Program, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, for a contract total not to exceed $135,000; under RFP 24-099-WEX, first and final optional renewal. (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill

6.C. HS-P-0029-25

Awarding resolution issued to Chicago United Industries, Ltd., to furnish, deliver and install Energy Star Appliances, for the Weatherization Program, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, for a contract total not to exceed $238,000; under RFP #22-065-CS, third of three one-year optional renewals. (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill

6.D. HS-P-0030-25

Awarding resolution issued to Healthy Air Heating and Air, Inc., to provide mechanical (HVAC) and architectural weatherization labor and materials, for the Weatherization Program, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for a contract total not to exceed $135,000; under RFP #24-099-WEX, first and final optional renewal. (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Lynn LaPlante

6.E. HS-P-0031-25

Awarding resolution issued to My Green House HVAC, LLC, to provide mechanical (HVAC) and architectural weatherization labor and materials, for the Weatherization Program, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, for a contract total amount not to exceed $135,000, under RFP #24-099-WEX, first and final optional renewal. (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Dawn DeSart

SECONDER: Paula Garcia

6.F. 25-1644

Awarding resolution issued to Comfort 1st Insulation & Energy Solutions, Inc., to provide architectural weatherization labor and materials, for the Weatherization Program, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, for a contract total not to exceed $15,000; under RFP #24-099-WEX, first and final optional renewal. (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Dawn DeSart

AYES: Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze

REMOTE: Galassi

6.G. 25-1645

HS-P-0009A-25 - Amendment to Resolution HS-P-0009-25 issued to DuPage Homeownership Center d/b/a H.O.M.E. DuPage, to increase encumbrance in the amount of $40,000, for additional grant funding received by the ILDCEO, resulting in an amended contract total not to exceed $86,888. (7541-0001 SERV) (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Cynthia Cronin Cahill

6.H. 25-1646

HS-P-0005A-25 - Amendment to Resolution HS-P-0005-25, issued to Gardenworks Project, to increase the encumbrance in the amount of $4,992, for additional grant funding received by the ILDCEO, resulting in an amended contract total not to exceed $74,992. (7531-0001 SERV) (Community Services)

Member LaPlante asked if next year any agency that is receiving grant funds from the county via different means be ineligible for the Small Human Services Grant funds. Chair Schwarze replied this will be part of the discussion for the next applications.

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Dawn DeSart

6.I. 25-1647

HS-P-0008A-25 - Amendment to Resolution HS-P-0008-25, issued to Outreach Community Services, Inc., to increase encumbrance in the amount of $15,000, for additional grant funding received by the ILDCEO, resulting in an amended contract total not to exceed $115,000. (7522-0001 SERV) (Community Services)

RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Lynn LaPlante

7. DUPAGE CARE CENTER - JANELLE CHADWICK

7.A. 25-1648

Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Alco Sales & Service Company, for wheelchair parts, supplies and accessories, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period of August 6, 2025 through August 5, 2027, for a total contract amount not to exceed $18,000; per bid #25-062-DCC.

RESULT: APPROVED

MOVER: Dawn DeSart

SECONDER: Paula Garcia

AYES: Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze

REMOTE: Galassi

7.B. 25-1649

Recommendation for the approval of a contract to ARxIUM, Inc., for maintenance and support for the FastPak Elite medication dispensing machine, for the Pharmacy at the DuPage Care Center, for the period of September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, for a total amount not to exceed $16,844.99.Per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(c) not suitable for competitive bids. (Sole Source maintenance and support of medication dispensing machine for the Pharmacy at the DPCC.)

RESULT: APPROVED

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Dawn DeSart

AYES: Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze

REMOTE: Galassi

7.C. 25-1650

Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Henry Schein, Inc., for deluxe top over-bed tables with base, for the DuPage Care Center 2North & 2South neighborhoods, for the period of July 2, 2025 through July 1, 2026, for a total amount not to exceed $15,260.60. Contract pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (OMNIA Contract #2021002973).

RESULT: APPROVED

MOVER: Paula Garcia

SECONDER: Dawn DeSart

AYES: Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze

REMOTE: Galassi

8. RESIDENCY WAIVERS - JANELLE CHADWICK

One out of county residency waiver was presented for approval. Janelle Chadwick, Administrator of the DuPage Care Center, stated there are eight male and fourteen female beds available so no DuPage County residents will be displaced by accepting this request. Member LaPlante so moved, Member DeSart seconded, all ayes on a voice vote, motion passed.

Member Galassi asked if a husband and wife can share a room if they are both residents in the Care Center. Ms. Chadwick replied, yes, if they choose to.

9. DUPAGE CARE CENTER UPDATE - JANELLE CHADWICK

Janelle Chadwick, Administrator of the DuPage Care Center, stated the Care Center has been accepted to be part of the Post Acute Network for CDH Northwestern Medical Center after submitting a huge application about six years ago. Only a few select facilities are chosen to be part of the network. CDH has also launched its own Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

This is a coordination and care network that looks at quality metrics and financial goals to drive quality and reduce costs. The Care Center has been invited to be a part of CDH’s ACO. After review, Assistant State’s Attorney Renee Zerante has given approval to move forward with the contract. Chair Schwarze asked how this will benefit the Care Center. Ms. Chadwick responded that it moves the Care Center higher on the list resulting in more referrals.

The golf outing was a great success, exceeding previous years and grossing $53,000. Chair Schwarze congratulated Janelle Chadwick on the success of the golf outing and apologized to her and the committee for not promoting the golf outing more. Member Galassi asked how it compares to previous years, particularly 2024. Ms. Chadwick responded that she did not have the exact numbers but will forward the financials from 2024 to Member. Galassi.

Ms. Chadwick handed out the Care Center calendar Member Cahill had asked about last week showing all the activities. Ms. Chadwick explained there is an all-house calendar with a person assigned to do the large group activity such as bingo. Each unit has it own programming, as well.

Yesterday, staff had the pleasure of attending a nice lunch hosted by the new resident executive council members. Positions such as a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a food committee person are elected, all residents of the Care Center.

10. COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE - MARY KEATING

Mary Keating, Director of Community Services, referred to item 6.G. on the agenda for H.O.M.E. DuPage, stating that this will give them the ability to initiate a credit counseling component to their services. This came as a suggestion from Member Garcia at the CSBG Advisory Board. Ms. Keating expressed her appreciation to Ms. Garcia as she, along with Gina Strafford-Ahmed and her team, worked with H.O.M.E. DuPage to get this up and running.

Ms. Keating passed out a 211 year in review flyer and explained the flyer highlights; who’s calling, how many people, and where they live. Ms. Keating thanked Kathryn Kosloski from the Community Services' communications team for putting this together. The information is available on the DuPage County website under Community Services, Community Resources.

The robust database allows you to drill down to your individual zip code and view data in various forms. The committee discussed the flyers and asked for them to be distributed within committees and county board and for swag to be available to distribute to municipalities. Ms. Keating reminded the committee that the implementation of 211 was ARPA funded and this will need to be considered for future county funding beyond 2026.

Member DeSart asked about the effect the federal budget will have on Community Services. Ms. Keating replied that the budget reconciliation bill will pass first and drive budget discussions for the future. The bill does not establish annual appropriations for different programs.

The President issued his proposed budget, which zeroed out the Community Services programs.

This is not the first time this has happened. In the past, in every case, the programs were reinstated by Congress. Hopefully the senate and house mark-ups will be completed by the end of July or early August and give us a better understanding of what Congress is proposing.

The NACo meetings are next week. If there is any insider information in their legislative updates, Ms. Keating will let the committee know about it.

11. OLD BUSINESS

No old business was discussed.

12. NEW BUSINESS

No new business was discussed.

13. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 AM.

https://dupage.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1144321&GUID=B0D4962D-A1F5-426B-838A-83B8B0868837