421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Human Services  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Final Summary  
Tuesday, April 7, 2026  
9:30 AM  
Room 3500A  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
9:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Greg Schwarze at 9:31 AM.  
Chair Schwarze stated ‘Under the authority of the County Board rules, I appoint Member Evans  
to serve as a temporary member of this committee to establish quorum’.  
2.  
ROLL CALL  
Staff in Attendance: Nick Kottmeyer (Chief Administrative Officer) until 10:00 AM, Joan Olson  
(Chief Communications Officer), Renee Zerante (State's Attorneys Office), Donna Weidman and  
Steve Packo (Procurement), Gina Strafford-Ahmed and Mary Keating (Community Services),  
and Anita Rajagopal (DuPage Care Center) remote.  
Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, Evans, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, and LaPlante  
DeSart  
PRESENT  
ABSENT  
REMOTE  
3.  
MOTION TO ALLOW REMOTE PARTICIPATION  
APPROVED  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
4.  
5.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
No public comments were offered.  
CHAIR REMARKS - CHAIR SCHWARZE  
Chair Schwarze discussed the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) holding a DuPage County  
‘summit ‘for the DuPage County food pantries. I think all County Board members should have  
received a thank you. In that thank you email they invited all of us to attend a meeting with the  
DuPage County member agencies which are the food agencies, on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at  
1:30 at their headquarters in Geneva. The NIFB is also offering an opportunity for a tour.  
The Food Bank also sent an email on March 27 to all the food pantry agencies that they  
collaborate with, which you may have received, asking all the food pantries to save the date for a  
special collaborative event following the NIFB’s recurring central region network gathering.  
After they do their business of their normal central region network gathering, they will hold a  
special DuPage County summit. I will be there to speak on our plans, along with Mary Keating,  
Director of Community Services. Member Galassi asked Chair Schwarze for an email address  
for a contact at the NIFB for her to attach to information she will be sending out.  
Chair Schwarze announced the addition of a fifth recipient to the Length of Service Awards on  
today’s agenda for the public record.  
6.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
6.A.  
26-1122  
Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting - March 3, 2026  
APPROVED  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
7.  
LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARDS - COMMUNITY SERVICES  
Item 7.C was added at the meeting, adjusting 7.C to 7.D and 7.D to 7.E.  
7.A. Length of Service Award - Christina Jiardina - 10 Years  
7.B. Length of Service Award - Amanda Scanicchio - 10 Years  
7.C. Length of Service Award - Jennifer Dupasquier - 10 Years  
7.D. Length of Service Award - Julie Burdick - 25 Years  
7.E. Length of Service Award - Julie Larson - 25 Years  
8.  
COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARY KEATING  
8.A.  
FI-R-0061-26  
Acceptance & appropriation of the Fifty-Second (52nd) Year Community Development  
Block Grant PY26, Company 5000- Accounting Unit 1440, from April 1, 2026 through  
March 31, 2027, in the amount of $3,703,858. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
8.B.  
8.C.  
8.D.  
FI-R-0062-26  
Acceptance & appropriation of the Thirty-Fifth (35th) Year HOME Investment  
Partnerships Grant PY26, Company 5000- Accounting Unit 1450, from April 1, 2026  
through March 31, 2027, in the amount of $1,722,324. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
FI-R-0063-26  
Acceptance & appropriation of the Thirty-Eighth (38th) Year Emergency Solutions Grant  
PY26, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1470, from April 1, 2026 through March 31,  
2027, in the amount of $286,929. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
FI-R-0064-26  
Acceptance and appropriation of the Illinois Department of Human Services Homeless  
System Capacity Expansion Grant PY26 Inter-Governmental Agreement No.  
FCSEH10641, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1760, in the amount of $90,920.  
(Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
8.E.  
FI-R-0065-26  
Acceptance and appropriation of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family  
Services Access and Visitation Grant PY27 Inter-Governmental Agreement No.  
2027-55-024-IGA-B, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1670, in the amount of $102,000.  
(Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
8.F.  
FI-R-0066-26  
Acceptance of an extension of time for the Illinois Department of Commerce and  
Economic Opportunity Home Weatherization Assistance Program DOE BIL Grant PY23  
Inter-Governmental Agreement No. 23-461028, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1400,  
through June 30, 2029. (Community Services)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
9.  
DUPAGE CARE CENTER - JANELLE CHADWICK  
9.A.  
HS-P-0021-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a purchase order issued to Henry Schein, Inc., for  
deluxe top over-bed tables with base, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period April  
15, 2026 through November 30, 2026, for a total amount not to exceed $39,177.60.  
Contract pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (OMNIA Contract  
#2021002973).  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
9.B.  
HS-P-0020-26  
Recommendation for the approval of a purchase order to AirGas USA, LLC, to provide  
Oxygen, Helium and Carbon Dioxide, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period of June  
1, 2026 through May 31, 2028, for a total contract amount not to exceed $31,496; per  
renewal of bid #24-042-DCC, first and final option to renew.  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
9.C.  
HS-R-0012-26  
Amendment to Resolution HS-P-0020-26, issued to AirGas USA, LLC, to provide  
Oxygen, Helium and Carbon Dioxide, for the DuPage Care Center, for a one-time price  
increase of specific materials listed in Exhibit A. (DuPage Care Center)  
APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
Member Evans left for another committee meeting at 10:00 AM and Member Yoo was appointed to  
serve through the remainder of the meeting.  
9.D.  
26-1123  
Recommendation for the approval of a purchase order issued to HealthLab, for patient  
phlebotomy and laboratory services, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period April 23,  
2026 through April 22, 2027, for a total contract amount not to exceed $20,000; per RFP  
#24-035-DCC, second of three one-year optional renewals.  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
9.E.  
26-1124  
Recommendation for the approval of a purchase order issued to Comcast Cable, for cable  
services for 1 East, sub-acute and various lobby locations in different neighborhoods, at  
the DuPage Care Center, for the period of June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027, for a  
contract total amount of $21,000; second of three optional one-year renewals. (Comcast  
Bid #4621)  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
9.F.  
26-1125  
Recommendation for the approval of a purchase order to Medline Industries, for  
replacement recliners, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period of April 8, 2026  
through November 30, 2026, for a contract total not to exceed $18,337.50. Contract  
pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (OMNIA Partners Cooperative  
Contract #20210013157).  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
9.G.  
26-1126  
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Yami Fresh, to manage  
beverage and snack vending machines at various locations on County Campus, at no cost  
to the County, for the period of May 5, 2026 through May 4, 2027, per bid #24-004-DCC,  
second of three one-year optional renewals.  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
10.  
TRAVEL  
10.A.  
26-1127  
Community Services Director to attend the NACCED summer meeting and NACo  
Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 15, 2026 through July 21, 2026.  
Expenses to include registration, transportation, lodging, and per diems for approximate  
total of $3317.  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
10.B.  
26-1138  
Utility Assistance Coordinator in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program  
(LIHEAP) to attend the NEUAC LIHEAP Conference in Seattle, Washington from May  
17, 2026 through May 21, 2026. Expenses to include registration, transportation, lodging,  
and per diems for approximate total of $2939. Grant funded. (Community Services)  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
11.  
CONSENT ITEMS  
Motion to Combine Items  
Member Garcia moved and Member Galassi seconded a motion to combine items 10.A. through  
10.F. The motion was approved on voice vote, all "ayes".  
11.A.  
11.B.  
11.C.  
11.D.  
11.E.  
11.F.  
26-1128  
McMahon Food Corporation, Contract 7308-0001 SERV - This Purchase Order is  
decreasing in the amount of $14,179.77 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
26-1129  
Sysco Chicago, Inc, Contract 7345-0001 SERV - This Purchase Order is decreasing in  
the amount of $60,684.37 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
26-1130  
Pulmonary Exchange, Ltd., Contract 7290-0001 SERV - This Purchase Order is  
decreasing in the amount of $11,240.00 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
26-1131  
Valdes Supply, Contract 7317-0001 SERV - This Purchase Order is decreasing in the  
amount of $20,910.86 and closing due to Purchase Order has expired.  
26-1132  
Central DuPage Hospital Association, Contract 7052-0001 SERV - This Purchase Order  
is decreasing in the amount of $40,000 and closing due to purchase order has expired.  
26-1133  
Comfort 1st Insulation & Energy Solutions, Contract 7789-0001 SERV - This Purchase  
Order is decreasing in the amount of $15,000 and closing.  
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA  
Paula Garcia  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kari Galassi  
SECONDER:  
AYES:  
DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, Schwarze, and Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, LaPlante, and Evans  
ABSENT:  
12.  
RESIDENCY WAIVERS - JANELLE CHADWICK  
One out of county residency waiver was presented for approval.  
Member DeSart stated that she will vote with the consensus of the committee  
but noted that this applicant was actually living out of state until recently and she was  
uncomfortable with that fact.  
APPROVED  
Paula Garcia  
Kari Galassi  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
13.  
DUPAGE CARE CENTER UPDATE - JANELLE CHADWICK  
Anita Rajagopal, Assistant Administrator of the DuPage Care Center, stated their first floor, 1  
South dining area and lobby, and 1 North are currently under construction. The lobby area in 1  
South is estimated to be completed at the beginning of May.  
Ms. Rajagopal reported that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) is requiring  
state surveyors to do more off hour surveys, including early mornings and evenings. This  
includes complaints and/or annual surveys. The Care Center staff have already encountered  
surveyors at the facility on the weekends. The Care Center has a process in place but Janelle  
Chadwick, Administrator of the Care Center, is working on strengthening that process in  
anticipation of the CMS surveyors’ visits.  
Chair Schwarze confirmed that the second, third, and fourth floors’ construction is complete and  
occupied. He asked if floor one is complete if that opens the door to potentially bring in new  
residents? Ms. Rajagopal replied that the plan is to move residents from 1 East (the short-term  
unit) to 1 North. They will then complete the east building remodel. At that point they will have  
one unit completely open.  
14.  
COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE - MARY KEATING  
Mary Keating announced that President Trump issued his 2027 budget request which zeros out  
all of the Community Services’ programs. Ms. Keating added they will wait and see what  
congress does.  
The full Committee Development Commission (CDC) meets today at 11:30. The committee  
members are all members of the CDC. The most important job will be to elect the executive  
committee.  
Ashley Miller, the Manager in Community Development, will be doing a year in review speaking  
about the projects completed in Community Development in 2025.  
Ms. Keating thanked the committee for all their kind words directed to the length of service  
recipients.  
15.  
16.  
17.  
OLD BUSINESS  
No old business was discussed.  
NEW BUSINESS  
No new business was discussed.  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 AM.