421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Environmental Committee  
Final Summary  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Tuesday, July 1, 2025  
8:30 AM  
Room 3500A  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
8:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Sheila Rutledge at 8:30 AM.  
2.  
ROLL CALL  
Member Haider arrived at 8:47 A.M.  
Additional Board Members: Member Paula Deacon Garcia and Member Yeena Yoo.  
Guest Speaker: Kay McKeen  
Staff present: Joy Hinz, Geoffrey Matteson, Myles Barnes, Catherine Figlewski, Joan Olson,  
Evan Shields.  
Cronin Cahill, Evans, Honig, LaPlante, and Rutledge  
Haider  
PRESENT  
LATE  
3.  
CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR RUTLEDGE  
Chair Rutledge shared a comment to enjoy our summer and our gardens harvest this year. Chair  
Rutledge also reminded the committee to not put down any harmful pesticides as you spray for  
bugs and pests in your yards during this season.  
4.  
5.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
None  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
5.A.  
25-1613  
Environmental Committee Minutes - Regular meeting - Tuesday, May 6, 2025  
May Minutes Environmental  
Attachments:  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
Lynn LaPlante  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
6.  
PRESENTATIONS  
6.A. SCARCE - DuPage County Projects  
Kay McKeen - Founder and Executive Director of SCARCE highlighted SCARCE's initiatives  
from April to June 2025, including the 19th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge, where teams  
from Lake Park and Glenbard East High Schools were recognized for their innovative designs.  
She commended the recertification of Forest Glen Elementary's Earth Flag on April 22,  
emphasizing the dedication of a library aide who spearheaded environmental projects at the  
school. The 'Growin' Green Garden Market' held on May 3 offered organic seedlings and native  
plants to promote sustainable gardening practices. SCARCE also conducted compost workshops  
on May 8 and June 26, educating 49 participants on composting techniques, with volunteer John  
crafting wooden compost bin covers from scrap lumber. Additional efforts included hosting 35  
municipal engineers to discuss litter reduction and recycling initiatives, conducting teacher  
training on solar energy and STEM education, recycling 39.4 tons of paper, culminating in the  
service of 226 vehicles and the shredding of 5.4 tons of paper in collaboration with West  
Chicago. SCARCE also supported recycling initiatives with state senators and partner  
municipalities and previewed upcoming events, including STEM‑A‑Palooza at the DuPage  
County Fair. Kay closed by expressing pride in SCARCE’s sustainability accomplishments this  
year, outlining future goals, and responding to questions from members.  
7.  
STAFF REPORTS  
7.A.  
25-1610  
Campus Tree Planting Event with Chicago Region Tree Initiative  
Jennifer Boyer - Campus Natural Resources and Grounds Services Supervisor spoke  
about the Chicago Region Tree initiative by detailing the results of the planting of 38  
trees. A video recap reel of the planting event was on display for all members in  
attendance. Jennifer concluded that the DuPage County Campus is an accredited level  
one arboretum through The Morton Arboretum, which sets the County apart from other  
arboretums, and that most of our new trees planted within the last 10 years are native  
trees.  
CRTI tree planting  
Attachments:  
7.B.  
25-1611  
Illinois Battery Recycling  
Joy Hinz - DuPage Environmental & Sustainability Programs Manager shared about new  
legislation titled the 'Illinois Battery Stewardship Act' that goes into effect January 1,  
2026. This legislation will soon add more primary battery locations to the already existing  
rechargeable drop-off locations. Joy mentioned further that the State of Illinois has grant  
funding available that the county will be talking with the local communities about and  
how they're working on finding more drop-off points this fall.  
Battery Stewardship Act Memo 7-1-25  
Attachments:  
7.C.  
25-1612  
Switch Together Summer 2025 Campaign  
Joy Hinz - DuPage Environmental & Sustainability Programs Manager spoke on the  
success the County has seen since partnering with iChoosr's - Switch Together Solar  
Group Buy Summer Campaign. 93 households accepted their solar offers and since the  
start of the program there have been 111 installations which equals 1,107 kilowatts that  
were added solar capacity. In closing, Joy reminded the committee of the upcoming  
iChoosr campaign happening later this summer and that committee members should  
watch for calls with questions about the program.  
Solar Switch Spring Summer 2025 Memo  
Attachments:  
8.  
OLD BUSINESS  
No old business was discussed.  
9.  
NEW BUSINESS  
No new business was discussed.  
10.  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:57 A.M.