421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Animal Services Committee  
Final Summary  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Tuesday, March 19, 2024  
7:30 AM  
Room 3500A  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
7:30 AM meeting was called to order by Brian Krajewski at 7:30 AM.  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill, District 5 Dawn DeSart, Grant Eckhoff, Paula  
Garcia, Krajewski and Sheila Rutledge  
PRESENT:  
2.  
3.  
ROLL CALL  
Member Patty Gustin also joined the meeting.  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill, District 5 Dawn DeSart, Grant Eckhoff, Paula  
Garcia, Krajewski and Sheila Rutledge  
PRESENT:  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
The following individuals gave public comment:  
Sandy Woltman  
Beth Hosler  
Jamie Leinss-Doyle - read a written statement from Kathleen Stelford  
Jamie Leinss-Doyle - read a written statement from Vicki Geisc-Weiland  
4.  
CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI  
Chair Krajewski informed the committee that Animal Services fields many calls regarding  
wildlife from residents. Because Animal Services does not house or rehabilitate wildlife, these  
calls are most often forwarded to Willowbrook Wildlife. Because so many residents are referred  
to Willowbrook Wildlife, Chair Krajewski will be requesting a meeting with the leadership of  
Willowbrook Wildlife, himself, Dr. Hanek and Laura to discuss current policies, in an effort to  
better understand current policy and better educate and direct the public on wildlife issues.  
Member Garcia requested a summary of the meeting between Animal Services and Willowbrook  
Wildlife once the meeting has taken place.  
Chair Krajewski confirmed that the National Therapy Animal Day proclamation will be on the  
County Board meeting agenda for Tuesday, April 23rd.  
5.  
MINUTES APPROVAL  
5.A.  
24-0964  
Animal Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, February 20, 2024  
Summary Minutes Feb-2024.pdf  
Attachments:  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Dawn DeSart  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
SECONDER:  
6.  
BUDGET TRANSFERS  
6.A.  
24-0953  
Transfer of funds from 1100-1300-50000 (regular salaries) to 1100-1300-50040 (part  
time help), in the amount of $35,000, to fund the re-classification of one full time  
position to a part time position for FY24. (Animal Services)  
BT - AS - 03.19.24 Personnel  
Attachments:  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
Paula Garcia  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
7.  
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT  
7.A.  
AS-O-0001-24  
AS-O-0001-24 ORDINANCE -- An Ordinance amending various sections, including  
fees, of Chapter 5 of the DuPage County Code of Ordinances.  
Chapter_5___ANIMALS  
Attachments:  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Sheila Rutledge  
SECONDER:  
8.  
INFORMATIONAL  
8.A.  
24-0954  
Informational - Pursuant to FI-O-0056-22 and DT-R-0306C-22, one (1) vehicle  
replacement purchase order for FY24 for Animal Services has been issued to Haggerty  
Ford, Inc., for a total amount of $59,851.00. (Animal Services)  
PRCC AC 7-Transit Van - INFORMATIONAL ONLY  
Attachments:  
ACCEPTED  
RESULT:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
Sheila Rutledge  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
9.  
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE  
Dr. Hanek shared that construction is progressing very well. Estimated completion for the new  
space is July. Estimated completion of the entire facility and move-in is November.  
Shelter populations are still being closely managed to keep populations low during construction.  
In the meantime, animal stress is being managed with extra enrichment, exercise and  
staff/volunteer time. For those animals that are really struggling, stress-reducing medications are  
given to help them cope. The intent is to provide the animal with the extra assistance needed to  
cope until they are settled into their new forever homes, at which time it is always the goal to  
slowly wean animals off of anxiety medications once they are in a stable, long term environment  
and no longer showing signs of stress.  
Animal Services continues to work with the Sheriff’s department to not only help Sheriff’s  
animals and animals in the shelter, but to go out into the community to help animals suffering as  
a result of hoarding or neglect and to prosecute the individuals responsible.  
Chair Krajewski added that staff will be working with Sheriff’s deputies to train them on what to  
look for and how to identify cruelty/neglect when responding to animal welfare calls as these  
type of calls have increased significantly over the last few years.  
10.  
DISCUSSION - DUPAGE WILDLIFE  
Chair Krajewski invited Colleen Jacklich, a current Willowbrook Wildlife volunteer, to address  
the committee and share her thoughts on the issue of Willowbrook Wildlife’s decision to no  
longer rehabilitate raccoons.  
Chair Krajewski shared with the committee that up until 2002, the DuPage County Forest  
Preserve District was overseen by the DuPage County Board.  
11.  
OLD BUSINESS  
Chair Krajewski reminded committee members of the DuPage Animal Friends gala on Friday,  
April 12th and encouraged everyone to purchase their gala tickets.  
12.  
13.  
NEW BUSINESS  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.