421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD

WHEATON, IL 60187

DU PAGE COUNTY

Environmental Committee

Final Summary

www.dupagecounty.gov

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

8:30 AM

Room 3500A

CALL TO ORDER

8:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Saba Haider at 8:30 AM.

ROLL CALL

Other members present: Paula Deacon Garcia, Yeena Yoo, Dawn Desart

Staff Present: Steve Travia, Cathie Figlewski, Joy Hinz, Geoffrey Matteson, Myles Barnes,

Jennifer Boyer, Ian Johnstone, and Nicholas Alfonso.

Haider, Evans, Honig, Cronin Cahill, and Martinez

LaPlante

PRESENT

LATE

CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR HAIDER

Chair Haider welcomed everyone in attendance and she wished everyone a Happy New Year.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Kay McKeen, Executive Director of SCARCE shared public comment highlighting the genesis

of the PaintCare program and recycling events that are set to happen this year. Kay spoke about

new laws that went into effect this year banning CFL's and laws requiring the recycling of

household batteries. In addition, SCARCE has been actively working to make Christmas tree

recycling more accessible at condominiums, apartment complexes, and small business.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

5.A.

26-0118

Environmental Committee Minutes - Regular meeting - Tuesday, December 2, 2025

12-2 Minutes Summary (Final).pdf

Attachments:

APPROVED

RESULT:

Cynthia Cronin Cahill

Lucy Evans

MOVER:

SECONDER:

PRESENTATIONS

6.A.

26-0205

2026 Switch Together Program – Citizens Utility Board

DuPage Committee Meeting Switch Together_Partner Kick

Off_2026-IL.pdf

Attachments:

Grace Concialdi, Solar Outreach Coordinator for the Citizens Utility Board gave a presentation

on the 2026 Switch Together Program. Grace shared program results specific to DuPage County

and the roles and responsibilities of the program for DuPage County. Grace highlighted iChoosr's

newest Switch Together Heat Pumps campaign and shared the results from their 2025 pilot

program. Grace ended her presentation with a timeline for the 2026 calendar year that outlined

the Switch Together program and its goals. Member Evans responded to the presentation

extending praise for the program based off their personal experience and hoped for additional

ways the committee can collaborate with this program further. Member Cahill commented and

asked for modification to communications to County residents. Member LaPlante agreed with

member Cahill and called for equitable communications.

ACTION ITEMS

7.A.

EN-R-0001-26

Memorandum of understanding between the County of DuPage and Midwest Renewable

Energy Association to provide a solar group buy program. (No County Cost)

MOU 12.5.25 CUB Executed_Redacted.pdf

Attachments:

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Lynn LaPlante

RESULT:

MOVER:

Lucy Evans

SECONDER:

7.B.

26-0175

Recommendation of the approval to support local government hosted document

shredding events providing all DuPage County residents access to document shredding

services through November 30, 2026, for a total expenditure amount not to exceed

$8,500.

2026 Document.Shredding.Program.pdf

Document Shredding Memo.pdf

Attachments:

APPROVED

RESULT:

Cynthia Cronin Cahill

Lucy Evans

MOVER:

SECONDER:

EN-R-0002-26

7.C.

Recommendation for the approval of a grant agreement between the County of DuPage

and Choose DuPage for the management of Sustainable DuPage, for the period of

January 13, 2026 to November 30, 2026, for a total amount not to exceed $60,000.

Rita Haake, Senior Vice President of Choose DuPage shared about Choose DuPage and

their partnership with EnergySense. Rita shared about all the successes of Choose

DuPage's resources for small businesses and the future partnerships that are in the works

for the year. Member LaPlante extended praise to Rita and Joy Hinz for their efforts in

actionable results of the program. Member Evans agreed with Member LaPlante and

expressed how highlighting more information about the Illinois Green Business

Association could help more businesses have interest in signing up.