421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Human Services  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Final Summary  
Tuesday, October 17, 2023  
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 Lucy Evans, Member Sheila Rutledge, and Member  
Yeena Yoo.  
Staff in attendance: Lisa Smith (State's Attorney Office), Joan Olson (Chief Communications  
Officer), Mary Catherine Wells (Deputy Chief Financial Officer), Nickon Etminan  
(Procurement), Gina Strafford Ahmed and Natasha Belli (Community Services Administrators),  
Mary Keating (Director of Community Services), Janelle Chadwick (Administrator of the  
DuPage Care Center), and Anita Rajagopal (Assistant Administrator of the DuPage Care Center  
).  
Childress, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, LaPlante, and Schwarze  
PRESENT  
3.  
4.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
No public comments were offered.  
CHAIR REMARKS - CHAIR SCHWARZE  
Chair Schwarze announced that of the $5M the County Board earmarked for food, $1M of that  
was earmarked for capital long term projects. The application process will be opening soon to  
apply for capital projects if it hasn’t been opened already. Mary Catherine Wells stated the  
ARPA Food Assistance Network Infrastructure Investment Program portal to apply opened on  
Monday, October 16, 2023 and will remain open through Thursday, December 14, 2023. An  
announcement is going out to all pantries.  
Member DeSart spoke regarding the need for food prioritizing equipment. Mary Keating  
answered Member DeSart’s concerns, giving a breakdown of the $5M allocated for food. Ms.  
Keating stated $1.75M was allocated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) for fresh  
produce, and $1.5M went to individual pantries in two different allocations. The $5M also had a  
component for long-term capital investments, which includes the $1M set aside for equipment,  
refrigerators, freezers, forklifts, vehicles, IT equipment, etc. There is $700,000 left of the $1M.  
We will decide in terms of an extension to NIFB contract or additional funds to the pantries, or a  
combination. Chair Conroy has proposed a $1.5M in her 2024 budget request. We will still have  
$2.25M that can be used specifically for food.  
Chair Schwarze announced the Willowbrook Fall Festival on Saturday, October 21. Chair  
Conroy is encouraging all to attend. Human Service staff will be attending. The flyer Mr.  
Schwarze distributed is attached hereto and made part of the minutes packet.  
23-3404  
Willowbrook Fall Fest  
5.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
5.A.  
23-3337  
Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, October 3, 2023  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Michael Childress  
Paula Garcia  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
6.  
7.  
LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARDS  
6.A. Length of Service Award - Christine Smit - 15 Years - Community Services  
6.B. Length of Service Award - Elissa Cortez - 20 Years - Community Services  
COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARY KEATING  
7.A.  
FI-R-0239-23  
Acceptance and appropriation of additional funding of the Low Income Home Energy  
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) HHS Grant FY23 Inter-Governmental Agreement No.  
23-224028, Company 5000, Accounting Unit 1420, from $3,291,193 to $3,718,038 - an  
increase of $426,845. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Michael Childress  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Paula Garcia  
SECONDER:  
7.B.  
FI-R-0240-23  
Acceptance and appropriation of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program  
(LIHEAP) State Grant PY24 Inter-Governmental Agreement No. 24-254028, Company  
5000, Accounting Unit 1495, in the amount of $5,528,383. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Dawn DeSart  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Paula Garcia  
SECONDER:  
7.C.  
HS-R-0062-23  
Approval of issuance of payments by DuPage County to energy assistance providers  
through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) HHS Grant FY23  
Inter-Governmental Agreement No. 23-224028 in the amount of $367,086. (Community  
Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Dawn DeSart  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Paula Garcia  
SECONDER:  
7.D.  
HS-R-0063-23  
Approval of issuance of payments by DuPage County to energy assistance providers  
through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Grant PY24  
Inter-Governmental Agreement No. 24-254028 in the amount of $4,643,841.  
(Community Services)  
County Board Member Yoo mentioned that last week at County Board there was an  
appropriation for LIHEAP for $1.9M. There is now an appropriation in the amount of  
$5.5M and also an appropriation at $4.6M. Ms. Keating explained that LIHEAP is  
funded through multiple state and federal sources. The funds come as separate grants so  
there are separate appropriations, but the funds end up basically in the same pot of  
money. Once we appropriate the money, some of the funds will go to support our staff.  
The vast majority of funds go to ComEd and Nicor. That is why you will see an  
appropriation of one dollar amount and then issuance of payments for a different amount.  
The current items on the agenda come from two different grant years. Often at this time  
of year, we are working with two different grant years.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Michael Childress  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Dawn DeSart  
SECONDER:  
7.E.  
HS-P-0072-23  
Awarding resolution issued to Chicago United Industries, LTD., to furnish, deliver and  
install Energy Star Appliances, for the Weatherization Program, for Community Services,  
for the period of October 29, 2023 through October 28, 2024, for a contract total of  
$67,367, per bid #22-065-CS, first option to renew.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Michael Childress  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Paula Garcia  
SECONDER:  
8.  
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION - MARY KEATING  
8.A.  
23-3338  
Recommendation for Approval of a Third Modification to a HOME Investment  
Partnerships Act (HOME) Agreement with DuPage Pads, Project Number HM20-04b -  
Tenant Based Rental Assistance – Extending the Project Completion date through  
February 29, 2024.  
APPROVED  
Dawn DeSart  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
9.  
DUPAGE CARE CENTER - JANELLE CHADWICK  
9.A.  
HS-R-0064-23  
DuPage Care Center Rate Increase  
APPROVED AT COMMITTEE  
RESULT:  
Lynn LaPlante  
Kari Galassi  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
9.B.  
HS-P-0073-23  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Medline Industries,  
Inc.,for replacement mattresses, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period October 25,  
2023 through October 24, 2024, for a contract total not to exceed $49,060. Contract  
pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act OMNIA Partners Cooperative  
Contract #2021003157. (ARPA ITEM)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
9.C.  
HS-P-0074-23  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Pulmonary Exchange, Ltd., for the  
rental of respiratory care equipment, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period  
November 20, 2023 through November 19, 2024, for a total contract not to exceed  
$45,000. Per bid renewal #21-072-CARE, second of three, one-year optional renewals.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Michael Childress  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Dawn DeSart  
SECONDER:  
9.D.  
HS-P-0075-23  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Valdes Supply, to furnish and deliver  
paper products (restroom tissue, paper towels and facial tissue, Group 2), as needed for  
the DuPage Care Center, for the period December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2024,  
for an amount not to exceed $87,000. Per bid renewal #22-112-FM, first of three one-year  
optional renewals.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Michael Childress  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Dawn DeSart  
SECONDER:  
10.  
BUDGET TRANSFERS  
10.A.  
23-3339  
Budget Transfer to cover the cost of an employee's tuition reimbursement for FY23 -  
$2,500. (Community Services)  
APPROVED  
Lynn LaPlante  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
10.B.  
23-3340  
Budget Transfer to transfer funds to accommodate Flex Benefit earnings that paid out in  
lieu of covering medical insurance - $600.00  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Michael Childress  
Paula Garcia  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
11.  
12.  
RESIDENCY WAIVERS - JANELLE CHADWICK  
No residency waivers were offered.  
DUPAGE CARE CENTER UPDATE - JANELLE CHADWICK  
Janelle Chadwick stated after containing a covid outbreak to one unit for one month, there is an  
individual in another unit with covid. This unit will now go on outbreak status and be guided by  
the Care Center’s stringent standards that have kept their covid outbreaks to a minimum.  
The construction company is preparing a color storyboard for Ms. Chadwick so they can see and  
follow what colors and designs have been chosen, which she will share with committee. They  
are trying to keep everything neutral with classic timeless finishes. They will add touches of  
current trends as desired.  
One of the things the construction company identified as a need are the fire dampers and chutes  
that go between the floors for fire prevention. The Care Center was not expecting the additional  
issue but is taking how they address the new construction standards a step further to stay ahead  
of fire prevention safety.  
It was noted that the DuPage Care Center has placed third in Illinois for long-term care facilities  
by Newsweek Magazine’s annual ranking. Ms. Chadwick commented that it is hard enough to  
get a five-star rating but even harder to maintain one.  
13.  
COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE - MARY KEATING  
Mary Keating alluded to the conversation at the last meeting regarding the Weatherization unit’s  
having only one contractor for all projects. Ms. Keating said the State has agreed to return to the  
multiple vendor contractor model. Having multiple contractors allows for competition between  
vendors to supply the most efficient and economic services. Five vendors bid, three for the  
architectural work and two for the mechanical work. Ms. Keating expressed her appreciation to  
David Watkins, Gina Strafford-Ahmed, and Nickon Etminan, for their hard work to get through  
the five bids. Because of the increased workload to obtain the five vendors, the bids did not make  
it to the Human Services Committee on October 17, 2023. These five bids will go to Finance on  
October 24, 2023. Chair Schwarze will discharge Human Services as the contracts will begin on  
November 1, 2023.  
The Community Services Block Grant Advisory Committee is meeting at 11:30 on Tuesday,  
October 18, 2023. The Strategic Planning Session will begin at 12:00 p.m., or immediately after  
the Technology Committee. If there are action items at the CSBG Advisory meeting, they will be  
completed first for board members that need to leave early to attend the Strategic Planning  
Session.  
14.  
15.  
16.  
OLD BUSINESS  
No old business was discussed.  
NEW BUSINESS  
No new business was discussed.  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 AM.  
APPROVED  
Dawn DeSart  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER: