421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Human Services  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Final Summary  
Tuesday, February 3, 2026  
9:30 AM  
Room 3500A  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
9:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Greg Schwarze at 9:30 AM.  
2.  
ROLL CALL  
Other Board members present: Member Saba Haider  
Staff in attendance: Nick Kottmeyer (Chief Administrative Officer), Joan Olson (Chief  
Communications Officer), Paul Bruckner, Lisa Smith, and Renee Zerante (State's Attorney  
Office), Mark Thomas, Rob Quigley, and Catherine Figlewski through 9:45 AM (Facilities  
Management), Steve Travia through 9:45 AM (Transportation), Keith Jorstad (Finance), Valerie  
Calvente (Procurement), Natasha Belli, Julie Hamlin, and Gina Strafford-Ahmed (Community  
Services), Mary Keating (Director of Community Services), and Janelle Chadwick  
(Administrator of the DuPage Care Center), remote.  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
PRESENT  
3.  
4.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
Jeni Fabian, the Chief Executive Officer at the People’s Resource Center (PRC), spoke regarding  
the County’s plans to address food insecurity and how the food pantries may be involved.  
CHAIR REMARKS - CHAIR SCHWARZE  
The DuPage Care Center Valentine Balloon fundraiser to benefit Care Center residents is  
happening now and ongoing. Balloon donations will be accepted until February 11 by going  
online at the Care Center Foundation’s website to donate. Balloon delivery will be on February  
13. Everyone is welcome to attend and hand out balloons.  
Member Galassi commented on Jeni Fabian’s comments, noting she has relayed all phone  
conversations with Jeni to Chair Schwarze and hopes Jeni is confident that she is advocating for  
the PRC. She added conversations with other pantries in District 3 echo Jeni’s message.  
Member LaPlante stated she met with PRC and listened to their concerns and feels the message  
needs to be addressed. The County needs to move in a spirit of full transparency when making  
budget decisions and decisions are voted on by the Cunty Board before announcements are made.  
She would like to see more open communication and a more formalized process that people can  
go through in terms of securing funding to address food insecurity.  
5.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
5.A.  
26-0550  
Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, January 20, 2026  
APPROVED  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
6.  
COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARY KEATING  
6.A.  
HS-P-0005-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into a sub-grantee  
agreement with Catholic Charities, to provide shelter, case management, and financial  
assistance to situationally homeless residents and at-risk of homelessness residents of  
DuPage County, for the period of January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, in the amount  
of $58,000; under the Community Services Block Grant. Grant funded. (Community  
Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Lynn LaPlante  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
SECONDER:  
6.B.  
HS-P-0006-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into a sub-grantee  
agreement with The GardenWorks Project, to plan, build, promote, and sustain  
community gardens in DuPage County, for Community Services, for the period of  
January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, in the amount of $55,000; under the  
Community Services Block Grant. Grant funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Dawn DeSart  
SECONDER:  
6.C.  
6.D.  
6.E.  
HS-P-0007-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into a sub-grantee  
agreement with H.O.M.E. DuPage, Inc., to provide financial literacy counseling, budget  
and credit counseling, credit repair and financial literacy workshops to low income  
residents in DuPage County, for Community Services, for the period of January 1, 2026  
through March 31, 2027, for a contract total not to exceed $84,728; under the Community  
Services Block Grant. Grant funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Lynn LaPlante  
SECONDER:  
HS-P-0008-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into a sub-grantee  
agreement with Outreach Community Services, Inc., to provide case management,  
counseling, job training/readiness, work experience, transportation, and GED assistance  
to low income youth residing in DuPage County, for Community Services, for the period  
of January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, for a contract total not to exceed $115,000,  
under the Community Services Block Grant. Grant funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Dawn DeSart  
SECONDER:  
HS-P-0009-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into a sub-grantee  
agreement with Teen Parent Connection, to provide car seats, booster seats, diapers,  
formula, wipes, and car seat safety training to low income residents of DuPage County,  
for Community Services, for the period of January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, for a  
contract total not to exceed $40,000; under the Community Services Block Grant. Grant  
funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Lynn LaPlante  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
SECONDER:  
6.F.  
HS-P-0010-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into a sub-grantee  
agreement with 360 Youth Services, to provide case management, housing, job  
coaching/preparedness, transportation, educational services, and GED coaching to  
homeless youth and young adults in DuPage County, for Community Services, for the  
period of January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, for a contract total not to exceed  
$55,242; under the Community Services Block Grant. Grant funded.(Community  
Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
6.G.  
HS-P-0011-26  
Recommendation for a the approval of a contract purchase order issued to C4  
Innovations, LLC, to provide Continuum of Care Coordinate Entry System Evaluation,  
for Community Services, for the period of March 1, 2026 through March 1, 2027, in the  
amount of $53,800; per RFP #25-112-CS. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
SECONDER:  
6.H.  
26-0551  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to enter into an agreement  
with Environmental Consulting Group, Inc., to provide asbestos testing for single family  
homes for the Weatherization Program and Single Family Rehab grants in DuPage  
County, for Community Services, for the period of March 11, 2026 through March 10,  
2027, for a contract total not to exceed $22,925; per bid 25-021-WEX, first of three  
optional renewals. Grant funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Dawn DeSart  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
6.I.  
FI-R-0033-26  
Additional appropriation for the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program,  
Department of Energy (DOE) Grant PY26, Inter-Governmental Agreement No.  
25-401028, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1400, from $638,116 to $900,819 (an  
increase of $262,703). (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Dawn DeSart  
SECONDER:  
6.J.  
FI-R-0034-26  
Additional appropriation for the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program HHS  
Grant PY26, Inter-Governmental Agreement No. 25-221028, Company 5000 -  
Accounting Unit 1430, from $974,465 to $1,232,976 (an increase of $258,511).  
(Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Lynn LaPlante  
SECONDER:  
7.  
DUPAGE CARE CENTER - JANELLE CHADWICK  
7.A.  
HS-P-0012-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Excel Electric, for  
upgrades to the North generator at the DuPage Care Center, for the period of February 11,  
2026 through June 30, 2027, for a contract total not to exceed $681,835; per bid  
#26-001-DCC.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Dawn DeSart  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
SECONDER:  
7.B.  
7.C.  
7.D.  
HS-P-0013-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Performance  
Foodservice Chicago, for secondary food and supplies, for the DuPage Care Center and  
cafes on County Campus, for the period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, for  
a contract total not to exceed $59,000; under bid renewal #23-020-DCC, third and final  
optional renewal.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Paula Garcia  
SECONDER:  
HS-P-0014-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Shift4 Payments, LLC,  
for Point of Sale System subscription and fees for credit card payments for DuPage Care  
Center and cafes on County Campus cafe sales, for the period March 1, 2026 through  
February 28, 2027, for a total contract not to exceed $42,890.50, under renewal of RFP  
#23-002-DCC, final option to renew.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
26-0552  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Equipment  
International, Ltd., for laundry equipment repair services and parts, as needed, for the  
DuPage Care Center, for the period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, for a  
contract total amount not to exceed $23,750; per renewal of bid #24-014-DCC, second of  
three one-year optional renewals.  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
8.  
BUDGET TRANSFERS  
Motion to Combine Items  
Member Cahill moved and Member Galassi seconded the motion to combine items 8.A. through  
8.C and then items 8.D. through 8.N. for two separate votes. The motions were approved on  
voice votes, all "ayes".  
8.A.  
8.B.  
8.C.  
26-0553  
Transfer of funds from account no. 5000-1650-50000 (regular salaries) to account no.  
5000-1650-50010 (overtime) in the amount of $994 to cover the shortage in the overtime  
budget with the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) budget for FY25.  
(Community Services)  
26-0554  
Transfer of funds from account no. 5000-1480-50000 (regular salaries) to account no.  
5000-1480-51000 (benefit payments) in the amount of $3,500 for the Homeless  
Management Information System Grant (HMIS), to account for compensated absences  
recorded in FY25, unforeseen at the time of the original budget. (Community Services)  
26-0555  
Transfer of funds from account no. 5000-1760-50000 (regular salaries) to account no.  
5000-1760-51000 (benefit payments) in the amount of $1,331 for the Illinois Department  
of Human Services (IDHS) Supportive Housing Grant, to cover the shortage for benefit  
payments for FY25, not originally set up in the original grant budget. (Community  
Services)  
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA  
Dawn DeSart  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Kari Galassi  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
8.D.  
26-0556  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2000-50080 (salary and wage adjustments) and  
1200-2000-53828 (contingencies) to account nos. 1200-2000-50000 (regular salaries),  
1200-2000-50040 (part-time help), 1200-2000-51000 (benefit payments),  
1200-2000-51040 (employee medical and hospital insurance), 1200-2000-50010  
(overtime), and 1200-2000-51030 (employer share social security) in the amount of  
$89,700 to balance the Administration Payroll in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
8.E.  
8.F.  
8.G.  
26-0557  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2100-50080 (salary and wage adjustments),  
1200-2100-50000 (regular salaries), and 1200-2100-50040 (part-time help) to account  
nos., 1200-2100-51000 (benefit payments), 1200-2100-51040 (employee medical and  
hospital insurance), and 1200-2100-51070 (tuition reimbursement) in the amount of  
$34,500 to balance the payroll budgets for the 421 building cafeteria in FY25. (DuPage  
Care Center)  
26-0558  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2025-50040 (part-time help),  
1200-2025-50080 (salary and wage adjustments), and 1200-2000-53828 (contingencies)  
to account nos. 1200-2025-50000 (regular salaries), 1200-2025-50010 (overtime),  
1200-2025-51000 (benefit payments), and 1200-2025-51040 (employee medical and  
hospital insurance), in the amount of $206,500 to balance the budget lines in Dining  
Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
26-0559  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2010-50080 (salary and wage adjustments) and  
1200-2010-53818 (refunds and forfeitures) to account nos. 1200-2010-50000 (regular  
salaries), 1200-2010-51000 (benefit payments), 1200-2010-51010 (employer share  
I.M.R.F.), and 1200-2010-51030 (employer share social security) in the amount of  
$52,100 to balance the budget lines in Financial Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
8.H.  
8.I.  
26-0560  
Transfer of funds from account no. 1200-2085-50080 (salary and wage adjustments) to  
account nos. 1200-2085-50010 (overtime), 1200-2085-50040 (part-time help), and  
1200-2085-51040 (employee medical and hospital insurance), in the amount of $7,500 to  
balance the budget lines in the Inpatient Pharmacy in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
26-0561  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2030-50080 (salary and wage adjustments),  
1200-2030-50010 (overtime), and 1200-2000-53818 (contingencies) to account nos.  
1200-2030-50000 (regular salaries), and 1200-2030-51040 (employee medical and  
hospital insurance) in the amount of $61,500 to balance the budget lines in Laundry  
Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
8.J.  
26-0562  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2050-50080 (salary and wage adjustments),  
1200-2050-50000 (regular salaries), 1200-2050-50040 (part-time help), and  
1200-2050-50050 (temporary salaries) to account nos. 1200-2050-50010 (overtime),  
1200-2050-50020 (holiday pay), 1200-2050-51000 (benefit payments), 1200-2050-51040  
(employee medical and hospital insurance), and 1200-2050-51070 (tuition  
reimbursement) in the amount of $939,500 to balance the budget lines in Nursing  
Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
8.K.  
8.L.  
26-0563  
Transfer of funds from account no. 1200-2065-50000 (regular salaries) to account nos.  
1200-2065-50010 (overtime) and 1200-2065-51040 (employee medical and hospital  
insurance), in the amount of $40,400 to balance the budget lines in Recreation Activities  
in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
26-0564  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2060-50080 (salary and wage adjustments) and  
1200-2060-50000 (regular salaries) to account nos. 1200-2060-51000 (benefit payments),  
1200-2060-51040 (employee medical and hospital insurance) and 1200-2060-50010  
(overtime) in the amount of $43,000 to balance the budget lines in Rehabilitation and  
Therapy Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
8.M.  
8.N.  
26-0565  
Transfer of funds from account no. 1200-2070-50080 (salary and wage adjustments) to  
account nos. 1200-2070-50000 (regular salaries), 1200-2070-51000 (benefit payments),  
and 1200-2070-51010 (employer share I.M.R.F.), in the amount of $15,400 to balance the  
budget lines in Social Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
26-0566  
Transfer of funds from account nos. 1200-2080-50080 (salary and wage adjustments),  
1200-2080-50010 (overtime), and 1200-2000-53828 (contingencies) to account nos.  
1200-2080-50000 (regular salaries), 1200-2080-51000 (benefit payments), and  
1200-2080-51040 (employee medical and hospital insurance), in the amount of $25,500  
to balance the budget lines in Volunteer Services in FY25. (DuPage Care Center)  
Janelle Chadwick, Administrator of the DuPage Care Center, explained that the volume  
of budget transfers for the Care Center is the result of the Care Center budgeting their  
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) on a separate line item. They have 13 departments  
that have labor, requiring that the COLA budget line needs to be moved to all the  
different categories at the end of the year. Also attributing more of a shift of funds is that  
they allocated 2% to the COLA line and had to adjust to the COLA being at 3%.  
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Lynn LaPlante  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
9.  
TRAVEL  
9.A.  
26-0567  
Community Services Manager to attend the National Human Services Data Consortium  
in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from April 12, 2026 through April 16, 2026. Expenses to  
include registration, lodging, transportation, and per diems for approximate cost of  
$2,893. Grant funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Dawn DeSart  
Paula Garcia  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
10.  
CONSENT ITEMS  
Motion to Combine Items  
Member Garcia moved and Member Galassi seconded a motion to combine items 10. A. through  
10.D. The motion was approved on voice vote, all "ayes".  
10.A.  
10.B.  
10.C.  
10.D.  
26-0568  
Benevate Inc. DBA Neighborly Software, Contract 6495-0001-SERV - This Purchase  
Order is decreasing in the amount of $33,000 and closing due to Purchase Order has  
expired. (Community Services)  
26-0569  
Healthy Air Heating and Air, Inc., Contract 6727-0001-SERV - This Purchase Order is  
decreasing in the amount of $123,359.11 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
(Community Services)  
26-0570  
Healthy Air Heating and Air, Inc., Contract 6791-0001-SERV - This Purchase Order is  
decreasing in the amount of $38,150.39 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
(Community Services)  
26-0571  
Healthy Air Heating and Air, Inc., Contract 6792-0001-SERV - This Purchase Order is  
decreasing in the amount of $24,037.59 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
(Community Services)  
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA  
Dawn DeSart  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Kari Galassi  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
11.  
INFORMATIONAL  
Motion to Combine Items  
Member Galassi moved and Member Garcia seconded a motion to combine items 11.A. through  
11.C. The motion was approved on voice vote, all "ayes".  
11.A.  
11.B.  
11.C.  
26-0572  
GPN 004-26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) PY26, United States  
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development, in  
the amount of $3,703,858. (Community Services)  
26-0573  
GPN 005-26 HOME Investment Partnerships Program PY26, United States Department  
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development, in the amount of  
$1,570,831. (Community Services)  
26-0574  
GPN 006-26 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) PY26, United States Department of  
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development, in the amount of  
$286,929. (Community Services)  
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA  
Lynn LaPlante  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Kari Galassi  
Cronin Cahill, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
12.  
13.  
RESIDENCY WAIVERS - JANELLE CHADWICK  
No residency waivers were offered.  
DUPAGE CARE CENTER UPDATE - JANELLE CHADWICK  
The Care Center currently has one unit on isolation due to influenza A, down from two units  
since the January 20th Human Services Committee meeting.  
The Care Center had their architecture survey for 2 North, 2 South, and 2 Center. There was a  
different architecture surveyor than with the prior units. This surveyor seems to be holding the  
Care Center to a standard that is above the skilled nursing facilities. For example, red outlets in  
the rooms are being referred to as critical care outlets. The Care Center has outlets that connect  
to the generator in the hallways but the surveyor required that the critical care outlets must be in  
the residents’ rooms also.  
Additionally, the surveyor wanted the cabinetry in the residents’ rooms to be flush with the  
ceiling which required staff to add two inches to the top of the cabinetry. This contradicted  
previous surveys. They are complying but disputing the requests. The surveyors are consulting  
with their supervisor who is out until February 5th. Ms. Chadwick is concerned that the next  
Life Safety Code Survey will have a different surveyor and different requests. Another concern  
is if there is a federal government shutdown, the whole process will stop. The Facilities  
Management team and Wight Construction worked very hard to complete the additions to the  
cabinetry in 48 hours. Asked about additional cost, Janelle replied she did not have the numbers  
but the Care Center allocates additional funds in the contingency lines for construction funding.  
14.  
COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE - MARY KEATING  
Mary Keating, Director of Community Services, stated they are anxiously awaiting the house  
votes on the separated budget and that an answer comes soon. Joan Olson, the Chief  
Communications Officer, stated the House cleared a procedural hurdle on Monday night which is  
a good sign for re-opening. They are scheduled to start a vote Tuesday morning at 10:15 am  
CST.  
Ms. Keating followed up on the January 20th Human Services Committee’s outreach  
presentation by Brett Kuras, the Outreach Specialist.  
She shared additional statistics for 2025 with the committee:  
The Community Services main line:  
630-407-6500, received just under 48,000 calls.  
The 211-line received just under 7000 calls.  
Senior Services Unit:  
Adult Protective Services (APS) - 1041 calls  
Ombudsman Program staff (advocates for long-term nursing facilities) - 369 intakes  
Choices for Care (staff in hospital with individuals being released to long term care) -12,007  
screenings  
Community Care Program (CCP) provides in-home services - 1800 new intakes  
Family Center:  
Mediators (divorced or parents never married) - 465 mediations  
Supervised Parenting (court ordered) - 538 sessions  
Neutral exchange (facilitates transfer of child from one parent to another) - 2504 exchanges  
Ms. Keating stated she reached out to the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB). She displayed a  
graph representing the number of visits per month across all DuPage agencies. The county  
continues to remain above the 2023 levels. The fall of 2025, particularly November spiked  
because of the suspension of SNAP benefits and the effects of ICE activity, with people not  
leaving their homes. December drops annually because a lot of pantries close between the  
Christmas holidays.  
New registrants represent those who use Links to Feed software program.  
Ms. Keating will continue to get updated information. From the NIFB.  
15.  
OLD BUSINESS  
Chair Schwarze stated he is proud of the Human Services Committee members for their fight  
against food insecurity for the last four years. He noted the ‘fight’ has taken many different  
forms, from the largest to the smallest food pantries. The county has allocated $10-15M for food  
insecurity, completed a capital project, and worked with the DuPage Transformational  
Partnership Grant, which included food insecurity. Chair Conroy’s 2026 budget includes $3M for  
food insecurity which does not include any potential capital.  
16.  
17.  
NEW BUSINESS  
No new business was discussed.  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 AM.