Good morning, everyone. I call this September 23rd, 2025 meeting of the county board to order. I invite everyone, oops, I'm sorry. A quorum, I call, okay, the quorum of members is physically present. I will entertain a motion to permit those on favor. Motion carries, okay. I invite everyone to stand and join in the pledge of allegiance. Member Martinez, will you please lead us in the pledge?
I now invite Father Will Chester from the Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton to lead us in the invocation.
In the kingdom of God, in cities, towns, and villages, and lonely places.
Behold and visit we pray the communities of DuPage County.
Renew the bonds of love that uphold our civic life.
deliver us from poverty, prejudice, and oppression that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with mercy.
And send down on those who hold public office, especially the men and women gathered here today,
send down upon them the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their office
to promote the well-being of all people through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Mr. Jeopardy, clear, please take the role.
Member K. Hill, member childrens, member covert, member dessert, member agov, member Evans, member
Galasi, member Garcia, member Heather, member honic, member Kurt Jusky, member
member Martinez, member Ozog, member Swarzy, member
24, member you and member Zay.
Good morning.
It is my pleasure to present the 26 fiscal year budget
proposal for your consideration.
Every budget and every budget address begins with a blank slate.
We are open to new ideas and initiatives as we prepare for the year ahead.
But this year's story is writing itself in an unprecedented manner.
For the first time, we must plan based on threats to the very existence of the federal
departments and programs our residents depend on.
For food, shelter, education, energy assistance, and critical medical services.
The programs that survive the threat of cuts will likely see funding sliced away,
leaving gaping holes that will hurt the most vulnerable among us.
Further coloring the picture is the scene in Springfield.
This past May, a proposal to provide funding to our regional transit system
threatened to steal $72 million of our due page tax revenue right from under us.
This plan would have taken our hard-earned money and given it to unelected bureaucrats
at the transit agencies. Of course, we support adequate responsible funding of our transit system.
We simply want to ensure that due page residents and our suburban neighbors do not
disproportionately foot the bill. I am working energetically with colleagues to arrive at a fair
governance solution and one that gives due page and in the color counties a seat at the table.
Those engaged in new government and the new government structure will make decisions involving hundreds of millions of dollars.
We must have a voice, we will have a voice, and I will always fight to prevent the rubber stamped unchecked spending and lack of transparency that got us to this fiscal cliff in the first place.
So where does that leave us?
I'd say DuPage County remains a beacon of fiscal responsibility and stability.
I propose a balanced budget that keeps a watchful eye on the bottom line and plans to address
the desperate need that will arise if fiscal cuts impact DuPage County's critical services.
I didn't get to a balanced budget proposal alone.
Allow me just a moment to thank our team of faithful budgeters.
First, our Finance Chair and Vice Chair.
College in Garcia and Cindy Crone and K-Hill spent many hours reviewing budgets, considering options and proposing solutions, as we waited through requests and revenue projections.
Our Finance staff led by Jeff Martnovic and Deputy CFO, Jennifer Sin, do the heavy lifting.
We thank you and your team for burning the midnight oil week after week.
As you have heard me say in my two previous budget addresses, the request from county departments and elected officials exceeded revenue projections for 2026.
This year requests came in $34 million over projected revenue.
Our budget team also heard loud and clear that this board wanted to plan based on actual expenditures that occurred throughout the previous year.
Therefore, I directed staff to A, as much as possible, analyze actual expenditure figures from the past years to determine appropriate funding levels for 2020-26 line items.
B, a line funding for staffing levels based on a five-year vacancy rate average.
It's my belief that this critical review will bring the 2026 proposed budget lines much closer to actual expenditures than in previous years.
This approach was taken across all departments and elected officials' offices to better align request with revenue expectations.
This includes the DuPage County Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office, once again, did not engage in dialogue with the budget team.
Nor did they provide a presentation to the board explaining their 2020-6 request.
Next year, there will be a Governor-Goobinatorial election.
Therefore, as in years past...
Members, Garcia, Keha, and I instructed our finance team to compare actual expenditures from last
gubernatorial election cycle, which was in 2022. According, accounting for increases over time in
personnel, commodities in contractual services costs, we then set the budget for the election
division of the clerk's office, 14 percent higher than the actual expenditures from four years ago.
We used a similar approach comparing actual expenditures to determine the budget for the rest of the clerk's operation.
So now you know how we developed a spending plan.
Let me tell you what our investments are.
The first area I want to address is public safety.
In fiscal year 2026, the budget of the sheriff's office, states attorney, and public defender will be higher than their actual expenses
expenses and budgeted amount for 2025.
As we heard from Mr. Berlin, violent crime is down,
and we want to keep it that way.
Providing the resources to assure that our streets and neighborhoods
are safe is one of my top priorities.
Last year, we also supported Chief Judge Bonnie Wheaton
as she requested a behavioral health court navigator
to provide mental health support to those seeking
and providing services at the courthouse.
That pilot program has proven to be an overwhelming success.
Recognizing the need to address emotional and mental health crises in real time,
we support Judge Wheaton's plan to provide additional mental health resources,
including a new support dog, to help people who are undergoing perhaps
some of the most difficult days of their lives as a testify or otherwise appear in court.
When we talk about answering the mental health needs of our residents, we anticipate our new crisis recovery center will positively impact the criminal justice and health care systems.
We caught the ribbon on our new center August 13 and the doors are finally open, treating those struggling with mental health or addiction.
You've heard me say the CRC will be a game changer.
It seems the PGA tour agrees.
We were pleased to accept a $250,000 donation from the tour's foundation last week.
But more important was the vote of confidence from such a prestigious national organization.
I want to thank Board of Health President and District One Representative Sam Tonitori,
who will help us welcome the PGA tour to Medina one year from this week next year.
This was a wonderful way to acknowledge our work to break down stigma surrounding mental
health treatment and provide a new model for helping those in need.
Let's take a moment to talk about how we will help those in need throughout the county in
2026.
As I evaluated the devastating social service cuts proposed at the federal level, I knew that
We might not know what cuts would be implemented, or whether Congress would simply approve
a continuing resolution funding these federal programs for a finite period.
Here's what we do know.
We can expect further proposals that undermine these important programs throughout the Trump
administration.
As DuPage County chair, I am meeting this moment with a bold proposal of my own.
I believe we can be fiscally responsible and take care of people.
We will use our resources to meet immediate needs and create a stronger social service infrastructure
ensuring programs are delivered in an efficient manner, assuring the highest value for each dollar we expend.
My 2026 budget calls for the creation of an 18.1 million dollar to page sustainability initiative fund.
This large investment will devote both $20-$20 and $20-$25 expected surplus funds to important initiatives addressing the most basic needs of our residents.
The first area this initiative will address is food insecurity.
Everyone agrees that our local pantries are straining to keep up with the demand that is growing dramatically.
cuts to federal nutrition programs, including SNAP, will worsen the problem.
My FY-2026 budget proposal dedicates $1 million to food supply for those in need.
I propose we add another $1 million from any FY-2025 surplus funds to this purpose.
That would be an infusion of $2 million for food to support our pantries and other organizations
that it's tribute meals to those in need.
This is added to the 1.1 million still in the Arpa Interest Fund
earmarked for food.
I believe this board shares my belief that no child, no individual.
No family in DuPage County should go hungry. We also recognize we must invest in more efficient food distribution, food distribution system, so that fresh, healthy food gets to people sooner and in the best condition possible.
You heard from lobes and fishes executive director Mike Cabala about his plan to vastly increase
his warehouse space to provide more storage, refrigeration, and freezer space that
are feeding our whole counties food distribution chain.
I propose we allocate $2.5 million from any FY2025 surplus funds to invest in the lobes
and fishes food distribution hub 2.0 projects.
To page residents will directly benefit as the extra storage will alleviate pressure on both large and small pantries throughout our county.
The food insecurity fund will now grow to $5.6 million.
Addressing our immediate needs and improving the food distribution infrastructure, ensuring sufficient delivery of fresh, healthy food, meeting today's demands and those for years to come.
The second category in our DuPage Sustainability Initiative retools our approach to affordable housing.
This, too, is a pressing need.
I propose a housing innovation fund that wraps together all the work we've already completed
to create more attainable housing choices in DuPage, including some important zoning changes.
I will encompass the work of our housing solutions committee,
Our housing social security will do to create a land bank and community housing trust.
I also am charging our staff with developing a down payment assistance program aimed
at first-time home buyers so that people who are raised here and who are working here can
actually afford to live here.
To support these efforts, I propose injecting a new $5 million from any FY-2025 surplus funds
to support the first time home buyer program, which we hope to induce and introduce in the year ahead.
Together with the existing 5 million previously allocating housing solutions, our 2026 housing
innovation fund will consist of 10 million dollars for programs and initiatives we will define and
launch throughout the housing solutions committee. Roll up your sleeves everybody. It's going to be a busy year.
And finally, you've heard me say this phrase before when we consider how decisions at the federal level will impact our due page residents.
We don't know what we don't know. Every day the picture changes in Washington and we must be ready to support our people.
I propose a third category in our to page sustainability initiative which is called Community Sustainability Fund.
I propose we add 2.5 million from any expected FY2025 surplus dollars to fund this part of the initiative.
These dollars will address any immediate challenges resulting from federal program reductions or changes that directly impact our residents.
Creating the DuPage Sustainability Initiative required a delicate balancing act and frankly,
could not have been achieved unless our revenue picture remained as steady and strong as it has been.
But again, federal action, including the imposition of tariffs, will impact sales tax and employment numbers in the year ahead.
And if for the rate cuts by the federal reserve may jumpstart home sales, it all remains to be seen.
As a result, we've taken a take in the data into consideration, along with past performance and created careful cautious revenue projections for the year ahead, planning for a healthy contingency fund to provide a safety net if needed.
To deliver the initiatives I've outlined and to create conditions in which our residents cannot only survive but thrive.
I propose a carefully planned program of both human and capital investments, leveraging
expected 2025 surplus funds.
Our projections estimate a surplus of at least $25 million.
The program I'll outline allows us to relieve pressures in the coming year and lays a strong
foundation as we look to meet the county's needs in the years to come.
The surplus initiatives include.
allocating $9 million to support stormwater management efforts, both here on campus and in the community.
We must provide funding to address repairs needed at the Elmhurst Quarry.
I propose we use $4 million and expected surplus for that purpose.
The Quarry is a vital flood control facility that protects people and property in due page.
we need another
5 million to complete stormwater projects here on campus that will protect the millions that will protect the millions of dollars we've already invested in our buildings here, and this investment will safeguard our infrastructure and equipment.
I propose allocating $3 million in any surplus funds to pay for further campus capital needs administered by facilities management.
I also propose allocating $1 million to our reserves,
showing up our rainy day fund should a sudden emergency
rise that we must address.
We'll continue our support of the families living in
Hensdale Lake, Terrace.
I propose utilizing $1 million in expected surplus funds to fund
two important programs in 2026.
These include the enormously successful
right share program, which is making a huge impact on families in this development.
It will also help to pay for the county's share of the sidewalk and street lighting
projects there.
Preliminary engineering will be underway throughout 2026.
Finally, I propose any additional funds available through the FY2025 surplus to go to
fund the new transportation building on campus allowing us to complete the project with minimal
or no debt.
It's always welcome news to discuss an expected budget surplus, but as I said, our budget
team was charged with developing a spending proposal that reflected actual average expenditure
levels and reduces funding in areas where head count is not traditionally filled.
We've pursued savings to present a realistic balance budget, but we are only part of the
officials, department directors, and staff members who constantly work to seek value, saving
the county money wherever they can on behalf of our taxpayers.
I'd like to ask our senior staff and county board staff to stand and be recognized for
embodying our culture of fiscal responsibility as they serve the public.
Please, Dan,
we would be nowhere without them.
Clearly speaking, of our employees, I've saved the best for last.
We will continue to support our staff with a high-quality package of benefits that provides
health, dental and life insurance, as well as employee assistance program to wish and reimbursement
in a generous 12-week paid parental leave program to name just a few of our many benefits.
This year, we learn the cost of our health care benefits will increase by more than 15%.
but thanks to significant negotiations on the part of our benefit team and health care consultants,
employees will not see double digit increases. The county is seeking adjustments to some
parts of their plans as we maintain our traditional 80 20 cost share with our workers.
To help balance those adjustments, I'm proposing a 3% cost of living adjustment for employees
to be paid in December of 2025. When the new fiscal year begins, we stand firmly behind the
people who work each day to serve residents of DuPage County. Therefore, I propose a balanced
budget of $644.7 million with a general fund totaling $263.1 million. I propose a tax
of $71.5 million seeking only to include new instruction growth as we have done in past years.
To equalize the burden on us all.
By 2026 budget proposal assumes we keep the DuPage County property tax flat at just 2% of the average home owners property tax bill.
We anticipate our strong revenue performance to continue next year, which will help us meet our obligations.
to page county's government general fund balance remains healthy.
Our RIM RF pension obligations are fully funded in FY2026.
We enjoy a AAA bond rating from all three rating agencies,
and we have planned for adequate contingency levels to be an urgent need
we must need to maintain the health or safety of our residents.
We cannot control what we cannot control around us.
Threatened federal cuts in pressure to fund regional transit have set a challenging table for us but pull up a chair.
I choose to see these obstacles as opportunities to think big and answer the need with bold solutions.
The plan I've laid out today balances carefully considered revenue projections was streamlined spending.
It provides a thought.
Roll strategy, run vesting surplus dollars on initiatives that allow us to improve and maintain our infrastructure, and provide for the most significant needs in our county.
Most importantly, it sets forth a new plan to feed families, create new housing solutions, and support our residents, even if critical program reductions become their new reality.
My message bears repeating, we will be fiscally responsible and we will take care of people.
Thank you for your kind attention this morning. The 2026 budget plan was developed as a team effort.
Now we continue as a team working together to prioritize the plan for the year ahead.
Please know I am incredibly grateful for your partnership,
Furthering our shared mission to make DuPage County a place where all people can grow and thrive in a safe, welcoming community.
I think it's the best job in the world.
Thank you.
Before we go to public comment, I'm going to do my chair's remarks.
I'm going to take a few minutes to make chairs remarks in addition to my budget address,
because I think we all agree that these unprecedented times call for some
comment and clarity. To be clear, the function of county government is separate and
distinct from both state and federal government. For better or worse, we do not vote on matters
of immigration, but each of us as elected officials can stand and do stand for decency, safety,
due process, and basic fairness. At our judicial and public safety committee last week,
We heard many of you speak up against the fear stoked by masked agents of ICE.
Infiltrating our communities with their stated mission to enforce federal immigration policies.
In reality, agents often masked, roaming the streets, visiting our businesses, and yes,
even our due page, jail lobby, waiting to pluck people off the street is not our founding
father's vision of establishing justice or ensuring domestic tranquility to quote from the preamble
of our great constitution. In fact, what we are seeing today in our communities is exactly
that which cause our forefathers and mothers to flee oppressive regimes and form our democratic
nation that is ruled by the people for the people. What we've seen play out in DuPage County
throughout our region is racist inhumane,
and the least American thing I have ever seen.
I know many have not all of you agree
that everyone in this country deserves due process.
Members they lamented the lack of fair and reasonable
federal process that allows a path to citizenship
for people who cross our borders.
Member Heather is an immigrant herself,
and feels deeply for the fear our neighbors are experiencing.
When member Martinez reflected on the terrible days and nights people in her community are enduring,
I heard you express outrage for the terror those mass squads are visiting upon us.
I want to directly address those people who have stood up and protected those targeted
in this racist, horrific hunt on our own residents. I want to thank you for your courage
As you raise your voices in protest, I want to thank to page employers who follow the law,
but keep a cool head, and protect workers from ice rates led by squads with no warrants
for entry. And I want to thank those who ensure safe passage for children to school and help workers
get to and from their jobs. County government is close to the ground, close to the people. We
See our constituents at the grocery store, at sporting events, and throughout our day.
We usually spend more of our time talking about setbacks for sheds or appropriate fence
heights than we do considering federal immigration rules.
But today, we stand for human basic rights that allow our people to live in peace in their
own neighborhoods.
I hope you all stand with me as we call for an end to this alleged enforcement action.
I ask federal legislators to recommit themselves, to a serious bipartisan, to the serious bipartisan work of constructing a fair and achievable path to citizenship for those who want to be Americans.
It's easy to bully someone who doesn't have power.
The hard work is to work with those who oppose your views and negotiate solutions for difficult, thorny issues that will never please everyone.
We do it every day every year.
I wish the current administration would take a page from our book. We need peace, we need safety, and we stand for those in fear, who ask only for due process as they seek a better future for themselves and their children. That is the American way.
Okay.
On the matter of public comment, thank you. On the matter of public comment, bear with me, I'm going to try to keep my voice as long as I can.
on the matter of public comment. According to our county board rules, members of the public shall be afforded time to address the board. Individual remarks on that exceed three minutes. Our first speaker is.
If I could have the first three speakers come up so that we can move everyone along. That would be Ruby, Caesaris, Victor Martinez and Lee, prior with Ruby being first.
Good
morning, DuPage.
I'm grateful to be here today.
My name is Ruby and I represent the many voices of districts and also those who have made today happen.
I'm grateful that today feels like a good morning because I see unity instead of division in this room.
When many of you in this four members spoke and unity in the last meeting, even with opposing thoughts in the room,
you show that this board values humanity and transparency.
that visible unity built trust in ways only you as leaders can. Thank you Melissa and thank
you everyone from Township to Township you have inspired us to unite as neighbors. I especially
thank Addison Township for its collaboration. I started to call those who have come together
at the collaborative caring minds and we want to thank you for extending the same unity to work
gather for a safer due page. When I reached out to the county board, you all not only responded
by offered solutions, that not only means a lot, it shows a lot. When constituents and local
government work together, we see real results. Stronger trust, more stable funding and healthier
communities. When I voice the thoughts of many and presented a proposal, you listened and we're
collectively to acknowledge your efforts and to extend not only understanding from the perspective
of due page residents but also ideas and openness to unite for a safer due page.
Grassroots organized, we stand here to offer reasoning, fact, and logic to present a creation
of an ad hoc committee of county officials, health experts, and community partners, and
what this can do, and why is it needed now?
Such a committee would ensure that due page response to the mental health and social aspects of ISIS presence in the county in ways that also stabilize our economy and strengthen our community.
Three ways that this would make an immediate difference. Number one, mental health response.
ICE presence creates trauma, not only for targeted families but for entire neighborhoods.
Trauma and form counseling and clear referral pathways reduce long-term health.
2.
Service Protection.
Fear keeps families away from county programs making them look underused.
Coordinated outreach keeps participation strong, so vital funding and grants are not lost.
3.
Economic Seability When workers and families withdraw from public spaces, small businesses lose
customers and county revenue decline. A visible county led response
resource trust and keeps local economies resilient. This is what an ad hoc committee
can provide. Coordinated care, stability, and most important unity. And in the
same spirit that some of the rest of the speakers will share more information,
stories, and data as part of this collaborative carrying mine effort. Thank you.
Good morning. My name is Victor. I'm here representing immigrant solidarity
to page, cost to page. I volunteer in their rapid response group. There are many people
dedicating their mornings, afternoons, nights, weekdays, weekends, patrolling neighborhoods
where ice is often seen. Sometimes it's simply a tip from a friendly neighbor that get
Great.
Sightings and warnings are reported in real time. Sometimes people are forced to go out alone and late at night.
They put themselves at risk because the safety of entire families depend on it, all so that they may be able to go to work.
Go to school, or take a nice walk in the park. These people understand that basic safety is a right, not a privilege.
However, safety should not be at the mercy of people that happen to have more free time
to patrol the streets.
This should be a guarantee for all citizens,
for all of our residents.
The fear inflicted on this community is palatable.
Many people are going into hiding.
Trust of county systems will only get worse when such a considerable portion of the population
is affected.
This is not just an immigration crisis.
it is a community crisis.
The volunteers are currently filling the gap,
the resources are brutally limited.
We are but simple community members,
looking out for the safety of others
with the limited tools available to us.
And admittedly, it's not enough.
There are some things we simply can't provide
such as comprehensive public safety
and mental health services to start.
This is why county leadership matters.
History has shown us that the page county board
has made great efforts in providing job training, employment services to serve the local youth
of DuPage County.
It's these type of actions that show that when community leaders act for their people,
those same people are made to feel safer and better connected to their government.
What we are asking today would build upon this type of progress.
We want to build a community group that can lead in the following.
Training volunteers and Township Emergency Response Teams in legal observations to document
and ICE activity without interference, ensuring that rights are respected and law enforcement is accountable.
We want to provide clear safety protocols so no one is out at risk while standing up for their community.
We want to integrate immigrant rights and rapid response training into existing volunteer services so this responsibility
doesn't fall on the shoulders of a handful of community members.
And we want to connect families and volunteers to these mental health supports, reducing the long-term
harm that this fear and creation, this isolation creates.
No matter what, this band of neighbors and volunteers will continue to show up, but when
entire neighborhoods are living in fear, it becomes a county-wide issue.
It's routine as your time is up.
My name is Lee Prior. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be quite as optimistic and hopeful as you
hurt so far, so take these as my own words, my own. I want ice out of my neighborhood
and a surrounding area. I don't feel safer with these goons roaming around and kidnapping people.
In fact, it makes me feel less safe. I know you all are mostly concerned with fiscal and regulatory
issues and bond ratings, but adults and children are being traumatized.
I'm sure that I've first used on the board sometimes make resolution difficult.
Thank you to those who are working to make due page a safe place for everyone you have my
support.
I have lived in Wheaton since 1979.
I taught in Wheaton Warrenville District 235 years.
Thankfully retired now and freer to speak out.
I will not stand by and watch them do this to our communities.
This is Anne Frank-Level Intimidation.
People are afraid to take their kids to school or an after-school activity.
They are hiding in their homes while some of us bring them food.
I know that due-page county sheriffs are helping ICE and forming them of jail release dates
times. Two people have been kidnapped straight from the jail, no due process. That could never
happen without the assistance of the Sheriff's Department. It's illegal, a violation of the
Trust Act, but happens anyway. Their attitude is so sue us. I don't have the energy resources
or standing to do so. The people who are being abused don't have the energy or resources either.
So, these boom squads get away with it.
Decision point held what they built as a prayer service, and downtown Wheaton Sunday night
and spewed Charlie Kirk's hateful rhetoric.
I was there.
It was, in fact, some of the creepiest.
It was kind of...
Creepy rally not truly Christian at all. These white so-called Christian nationalists must be stopped. I could be speaking to some of them right now for all I know. I know there's one on the Wheaton City Council. This person was positively called out at the rally Sunday night. We need to stop celebrating people who dehumanize and marginalize others. A junior from Wheaton Academy, Caden Brown, wrote an op-ed for the West Chicago voice a few days ago. I quote him.
ISIS presence in the community, especially one of the Piers arbitrary and disconnected from any genuine threat, causes great fear and unrest and vote.
It is well-researched and well-enwartable espousing true Christian values.
I encourage you all to read it in its entirety. I thank him publicly for writing it.
I know several young people living their Christian values, but have made it their mission to crush ISIS.
God bless them all.
Chingalamiru.
Connect to our chat, Bentley, Jesse Gutierrez, and Lisa Visez.
Check Bentley's first.
It is well established that the fifth amendment and titles aliens to do process of law in deportation proceedings.
I'm going to repeat that.
It is well established that the fifth amendment and titles aliens to do process of law in deportation proceedings.
Those are not my words.
That is just as Anthony's Sglia in the 1993 case renoversous florists, majority opinion.
But you might say they're here illegally.
Well, ask yourself what that means.
What does it mean to be here or be anywhere illegally?
When you leave a border crossing, that's the legal equivalent of a speeding ticket.
Do we deport people for speeding tickets?
Do we incarcerate or detain them for speeding tickets?
Either we believe in equal protection of the law or we don't.
But they're criminals.
They've done horrible crimes.
How do we know?
Have they been convicted?
Have they been tried by a jury of their peers?
because that's what the Constitution demands.
And that's what Anthony Scalia demanded.
How do we know that? Do they have a conviction on their record?
If so, the process has been completed and they've been sentenced.
So they cannot be removed without a deportation hearing,
which, as far as we know, many, many people in our community and beyond are not getting.
We know that community trust and law enforcement
is directly tied to public safety and mental health.
When trusty roads, crime reporting drops, victim stays silent, and fear deepens.
That cycle does not only harm immigrant families into DuPage County and harms all of us.
You hear here at the chair talk about how crime is down, where do you think it's going to go now?
An ad hoc committee of county officials, health experts, and community partners can give our residents a clear point of contact, protect public safety, train our local law enforcement, as to what the law actually says, and what they're doing if they're aiding and abetting on constitutional detentions.
It will also demonstrate that this board is committed to upholding both constitutional rights and community stability.
Some options in addition to local law enforcement training would be to provide Zoom Court options for people who are afraid of getting picked up.
Because if you don't get, if you don't show up to court, then a war goes out.
And again, what does that do for crime and do page counting?
By affirming due process, this committee can provide clear public reassurance, strength and trust, and protect the safety of all our residents.
Thank you.
My name is Jesse Gutierrez. Today I'd like to speak up for my fellow veterans.
We took a note to defend the Constitution and protect...
The people of this nation, that oath never ended, and is from that perspective that I need to speak today. When arm of the men in mask run through our neighborhoods with guns drawn, it does not look like safety. It looks like chaos. It looks like war. I worry for my fellow veterans and innocent bystanders. In April, a resident named Bobby Fisher described what his neighbor saw. Two agents, chasing the man through the street, guns drawn, while terrified,
workers jumped off roof to escape Gundman. Mr. Fisher later learned that four to five
men detained that they were actually documented. ISIS mistake left the entire
DuPage County block traumatized and left families questioning whether they
can ever feel safe in their own homes again. Think about the ripple effect. Workers
who are documented paying taxes and contributing to the pages of economy are now
to return to the job site. Businesses that rely on their labor lose revenue. We see that the
Page County Board values workforce development as it does so much to connect job seekers to resources.
Often in collaboration with unions and trade groups, that commitment has strengthened our local
economy and supported families across the country. But what happened in the name of those shows us
But this progress can be undermined when document of workers are swept up in ice mistakes
and job sites become scenes of chaos and fear.
If skilled workers are too frightened to return to their jobs, this is his loose revenue,
apprenticeships, stall, and the county's own workforce metrics suffer.
This is where the board can help.
By expanding the page, workforce development to include public forms and transparent communication.
So workers and businesses, business owners, like understand that the page will not allow
fear to drive people out of the workforce.
Second, rapid response connections.
So employers don't have to get legal and counseling support for their workers when
raids disrupt projects.
3.
Educating the workforce of their rights will help prevent reckless and harmful mistakes like what
in the name of Bill. We're document of the page county residents, we're wrongly arrested.
I represent the unite for a safety of the page. Thank you for your time.
Good morning, my name is Lucille Feldez. I stand here not just as a continuum,
but as someone who has personally put time into patrolling our streets when immigration,
custom enforcement has been reported in our neighborhood. I never imagined I would have to do this
to pitch County yet. I have driven through West Chicago, scanning for on-marked
events, making calls and using my own resources to help warn families. I have driven home
with my heart heavier than I knew I could feel. This is not sustainable for residents,
and it should not fall. I neighbors alone to bear this weight. When residents are forced to
fill the gaps, it drains us physically and emotionally. It fractures trust and government and
Isolates families who already feel unseen, but what I have witnessed is that when community
members stand together, hope flickers back to life.
I also want to acknowledge this board's leadership in straining mental health services across
the county.
The recent expansion of crisis recovery resources show the residents that you are willing to invest
in both safety and humanity.
That same vision can now be extended to address the fear and trauma caused by ice.
That is why I'm urging this board to act. We have heard testimony to page neighbors alike. The next step is established and add hot committees of community officials, health experts and community partners equipped us with coordinated resources, resources, so they know resident pass to shoulder this alone.
I am proud to serve my neighborhood, but we cannot continue like this. With your leadership, the page can move from residents controlling on their own to cut.
County vet systems that ensure safety, mental health support and trust for all families who can call this home.
We are Rebecca Casman, Maria, St. Kuel, and Lily with No Nass name.
Good morning. My name is Rebecca Hackman and I've lived in Dupeage County for the last 13 years.
I organize community outreach events here in Wheaton and this morning I'd like to highlight
Thanks.
Some things very important, money, specifically grants. Federal and state funding streams reward counties
that take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities and build public trust. We hear
about, or for several of us, have personally witnessed, ice carrying out arrests without warrants,
Identification or transparency, they have targeted grocery stores like Caputos and Jewel,
and have been reported near the food pantry, and even on this campus last week.
Naturally, people in this community are terrified.
And as we learn during COVID, fear is enough to prevent people from seeking health care,
support and community resources, and when that happens, the entire county feels the impact.
Today, residents who fear ICE presence withdraw from county programs. This creates the
false impression that resources aren't needed, but now is when the need is greatest.
Without reach and visible support, distrust will grow, risking the same cycle of fear
with draw from services and county-wide financial strain.
Proactively addressing ice-related fear isn't just about compassion.
It's a strategy to keep grant funding stable and ensure resources reach the people they are designed for.
One practical first step for the ad hoc community committee is to launch a no-year
rights campaign. With multilingual flyers and workshops and library schools and
park districts, families can understand their rights and partnering with a trusting
organization like Almas can help them feel safer engaging with county partners,
with
that when communities know the plan, trust and participation rises, and public health outcomes
improve. This board has already shown leadership and workforce development and emergency preparedness,
extending that same model here can protect both residents and the county's financial stability.
Inaction has a cost. Proactive outreach will keep due page safe, trusted, and financially strong.
We are united for a safer due page.
Thank you.
Good morning chair and members of the board.
I'm Dr. Deliberciaga, President and founder of Alliance of Latino Morty Beauty Action in the suburbs.
Otherwise don't miss out on us.
And I'm here today to talk to Stan in support of the Dr. Brustolusia United for a secret
page.
I speak at only a community leader today, but as a licensed clinical professional counselor,
with 16 years of experience in trauma.
In my work with Immigrant Imminoreative Families, and not minority families sometimes,
I've seen the profound and lasting harm that is caused by ICE, ICE enforcement.
Children struggle with anxiety and difficulty concentrating in school, parents live with chronic stress
at damages or health and they stabilize their households, and the research confirms these realities.
The urban institute has found that children of the teen and deported parents are significantly
more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress, but it does not stop here.
A 2019 study in the journal about a lesson to help found that Latino youth living in communities
with high-ise activity also showed elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression, even
when no one in their family was detained.
In other words, the fear itself is traumatic.
Families avoid schools, hospitals, and even parks because they no longer feel safe.
That mistrust ripples through entire neighborhoods.
United for a safer could page matters because it acknowledges both the visible and invisible impacts of the migration enforcement.
By creating coordinated responses, trauma-informed supports, and clear public assurances,
the county's face is remained safe.
This resolution recognizes that immigration enforcement is not only a legal matter,
but a public health and community will be an issue.
I must support this resolution because it reflects both the evidence and what we see every day.
All families deserve it.
Good morning. My name is Dr. Maria Sinkill. And if someone who values the collective work that DuPage County Board does, I want to recognize the members who spoke up at the last meeting, who acknowledge the detriment of many issues with ICE and DuPage County.
Members Melissa, Greg, Sabah, Mary, and Michael.
When we speak with unity, we show residents that this government, values, transparency and
humanity, research confirms that visible solidarity from leaders increases community trust
and that trust is a foundation of safety.
We also know that groundwork is already here.
I am grateful for people like this that who are doing the grassroots work in Wushakago.
That participation shows us that the board also shows us that we already have a base of experience to build on.
It's a school social worker, public servant, and a director with my doctorate, and two decades worth of grassroots work.
I value education because knowledge is power.
Research on disaster preparedness consistently shows that training reduces trauma, and it lowers the stress,
symptoms by 20 to 30%. People call better when they know the plan, the stops and who to call.
That is exactly what this committee can provide to deal with reckless and inhumane ice behavior.
We value how the DuPage County Board is working together to offer a variety of emergency management
and disaster preparedness, training across departments and provides exercise development,
planning and simulation of emergency operations.
By creating a committee, that can dedicate effort to organize and expand on this, we can ensure that all of
DuPage County staff are prepared to respond appropriately if ICE is present. By doing this together,
we not only reduce trauma for staff, and the public but also strengthen trust and safety across the county.
We can equip staff with strips, contact numbers we would call, like ICIRR, and de-escalation protocols,
insurance safety, while strengthening trust and transparency between government and the community.
This is not only a mental health issue, but an economic one.
Risk management shows that clear training and protocols reduce liability by standardizing
protocols and documentation. Together we can help protect mental health, keep business stable
and show that DuPage County leads with empathy and unity. So, Luan Pueblo. Gracias.
There are four people left in manual, damn boss, Dave Welch, Karen Edwards.
Man, I'm chair.
I move to extend public comment for those four people to be able to speak.
Okay, falling paper.
Is that getting all the paper?
Okay.
Approved.
Thank you.
I wish I had a speech prepared as all the others did, but I came here.
I started again.
I wish I had a speech prepared as all the others before me.
I came to this knowing that I had to and I'm sure all the people before me felt that need
on that urge to as well.
I didn't know exactly how to begin, so I'll address how we began this, this day here
with a pledge in a prayer and addressing what that pledge in the prayer meant.
The pledge to our constitution that we would uphold all the billet rights, the amendments
and everything that it stood for when it was first enacted in this country to give us
citizens of protection from the corrupt from the bad and everything that could and could not
be imagined.
We are in those times right now, and we followed that with a prayer, and in the Reverend's
voices that echoed throughout this day, he said, deliver us from poverty, from prejudice,
and from oppression, a very, very difficult thing nowadays, because it really does feel like
all we have left is prayer nowadays, the sites that we see on TV from the actions in
broad view that erode certain constitutional amendments that are on their attack, the
prayers that we say for the people that we see the experiences that they're witnessing on a daily basis
from, as I said, math, I say agents that are visiting our streets very seemingly, unconstitutionally.
It's the reason why I know I had to be here.
I'll continue.
Continue with that ideology that the Constitution is the very foundation of what this land came to be, but even before that this land existed.
My name is Emmanuel Valadas. I am part native. I am also part of everything that this land has become since its 1776 and the melting pot that created all the many different immigrants that I
sent from. Those immigrants are the only thing that these
ice agents now see when they see my face. On September 8th, the Supreme Court gave
these agents the full authority to discriminate based off ethnicity
appearance based off what I look like. We all look like what we came to be
Without choice, we were born without deciding where we would be born, how we would look, and now we are facing the consequences of our ancestors that we had no choice in the matter of.
So I began this with a pledge and the prayer and now I'll end it with a plea.
Stand for us, protect us against those that violate the Constitution and our rights as human beings.
Thank you.
place, but I live in Dubesh County, my entire life, and the neighborhood I'm living in,
but very small on a corporate area with big lots, commercial people
are buying
a place.
We can't, you need to get pull the microphone up a little bit.
Okay, this is better? Yes.
Okay, so anyway, I make complaints to the health department, I make complaints to the
And I'm zone residential and I would like my neighborhood to be a residential.
So I come here so you can tell who can I talk to?
Who can I see? Because I'm a candidate with sign.
I mean, I look like a bomb, but I don't, I can take my businesses and my properties.
And I can be fucked up to you.
I don't need you, but you guys really need residents that are happy.
So who can I talk
to?
Good morning. My name is Dave Welch. I've been a Wheaton resident for decades now.
I'm a white 65 year old man who never thought that I would be standing here from view.
Wondering what in the hell is going on in the world right now.
And from what I've heard today I'm equally encouraged by all these wonderful people who are doing some great work
and horrified at the same time that the fact that they have to actually go ahead and do this.
I believe in proper immigration control, but I also believe in due process of fairness and this is what we have right now and makes no sense.
I don't know what the county board can do by itself.
I just know that they should try to do everything in their power to stop what's going on.
just saw yesterday the Californians passed laws that say that you know ice agents now have to
go without mass and with IDs and show their identification that be a huge start so that we
don't terrorize people who have no reason to be terrorized and if we can't do that at the county level
we should be lobbying very hard at the state level to make that happen. I'm frustrated and I want to
And so, if there are groups out there who could use a guy like me and others who want to make a difference and support, what needs to change because I never thought that in my secluded suburban life, I would see this kind of activity and be just devastated and sad by it and motivated to come here.
Now it's about trying to figure out how to motivate myself to do something that actually matters, and if there's somebody out there who would like to...
I'd be happy to provide. Thank you.
My name is Karen Edwards, so by first time at a
two-page county board meeting, I am so encouraged. I'm here as a 37-year resident of
Wheaton to say I am just horrified by what's happening with ICE, the illegal horrendous actions
of ICE to you for plenty spelled out. I don't have to say any further and you've read about it and
about it. And I'm so encouraged by what I'm hearing today. Thank you Madame Chair and the actions
of the County Board. This is really encouraging it gives us hope that you are doing things to help
every resident of this community. And I thank the people who made comments today. I heard all kinds
of things I haven't thought about. And I thank you for the work you are doing on behalf of everyone here.
Thank you so much.
How does there's three more people?
I could not read their names.
Linda, Shah, Kim, Reed, and Maria Vassie.
If you could come up to the podium, if you're so here.
Kim, Reed, not going to speak.
Hi, my name is Maria Vassie.
I am the Edison Township Clerk.
And I just came here to say thank you to the board.
For all the help that you have given my township
in the first few weeks of our administration,
for all the encouragement you have given our board.
Especially, Michael Childress, who's gone to bat first
a few times and even come and put groceries
on our new community market shelf.
Without intergovernmental unity, none of us is getting anywhere,
and I just wanted to say thank you for supporting us
in our immediacy time, which was the beginning.
I hope we can continue this relationship and we can continue to work forward to make not just
Addison Township a better slice of DuPage, but all of DuPage better.
Thank you.
Linda's not going to speak.
If the board has received public comment by our online portal, for board policy, those comments
were provided to members yesterday so they could be reviewed.
Comments submitted electronically will be included in the minutes of this meeting.
And, like to move on to the consent agenda, I seek a motion to approve the consent agenda items.
25, 2261, DuPage County Board, regular minutes, Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
25, 21, 83, 9, 5, 20, 25, pay list.
25, 21, 86, 9, 5, 20, 25, auto debit pay list.
25, 22, 12, 9, 9, 9, 20, 25, pay list, 25, 22, 45, 9, 12, 20, 25,
Paylist, 25, 22, 46, 9, 12, 20, 25, auto debit paylist, 25, 22, 60, 9, 16, 20, 25,
Paylist, 25, 21, 94, 9, 8, 20, 25, core bill wire transfer, 25, 22, 25, 9, 9, 20, 25,
I.D.O.R. Wire Transfer 25 22 32 County Recorder Monthly Reviews Revenue Statement August
2025 25 22 79 Treasures Monthly Report of Investments in Deposits August 25 25 25 22 51
Change Orders to various contracts as specified in the Attached Packet all in favor.
Okay, and now we'll move on to County Board and Vice Chair, Childress.
Thank you madam chair. I like the move on CBR 7225 resolution approved remember initiative program agreements.
It's been moved in second and row call please. Oh, I'm sorry. Member Tony Tory.
As a member and board member of five on one, see three of the health department, which is one of the beneficiaries of this membership program.
In accordance with our rules, we'll be abstaining.
Okay. Thank you, member Tony Tory. Roll call, please.
Members, shoulders. Yes. Member COVID.
Hi.
Member dessert.
Aye.
Member echo.
Member Evans.
Member glossy.
Member Garcia.
Aye. Member Heather.
Yes. Member Honig.
Member Criscusky.
Aye. Member Leplant.
Aye. Member Martinez.
Aye. Member Ozag.
Aye. Member Schwartz.
Thank you, thank you, Madam Chair.
We'll move on to finance and member Garcia.
Thank you, Chair Conroy.
I make a motion to approve FIR-01-4925
Except it's an appropriation of the tobacco enforcement program,
program U-26.
In our governmental agreements, this is the amount of $7,172.
dollars for the sure of office.
It's been moved in seconded roll call, please.
Member Garcia.
I, Member Heather.
Member Honig.
Member Kyrgyzki.
Member Leplant.
Member Martinez.
Member Ozag.
Member Shorzy.
Member Tornatory.
Member You.
Member Zay.
Member Kail.
Member Childress.
Member Kover.
Member DeSart.
I, member ACOF, member Evans, and member Golosi.
Member Garcia.
I make a motion to approve F-I-R-015-025,
budget transfers for 923-2025,
for various companies in accounting units.
Leave its grant to member Garcia.
Make a motion to approve F-I-R-015-125,
ratification of a mergesome procurement for goods and services
for its total amount, now to exceed $500,000.
leave it's granted member Garcia make emotions improve FIR zero one five two
twenty five additional appropriation for the 2016 courthouse by on step service in
the amount of seven thousand dollars leave it's granted member Garcia
I'm going to make emotions improve FIR zero one five four twenty twenty twenty five
acceptance of an extension of time and budget modification for the U.S. Department of
Justice this is on the amount of zero dollars leave it's granted thank you
for Garcia. Okay, animal services and member, could you ski?
Thank you, ma'am. Chair, just real briefly. Tomorrow, the Defej animal services is hosting
a joint press conference with the Illinois Humane Society. Chair Conroy will be kicking it
off. And we have a number of our state legislators also there. Senator Holmes, Senator
of low-AX senators, Castro, Senator Lewis, Senator Karn, and a state-rep centrally-troll
will also be speaking.
And the focus is going to be on the, I guess, the abundance of animals that are coming
into the shelters, things that we can do, specifically in Springfield on a legislative
point that will help in reducing potentially the animals coming into the shelters, so they'll
talking about increased the supply of affordable pet
who's of rental housing.
So we've heard the chairs budget today about affordable housing,
but also for pets that people that have
had removed breed restrictions from home owners,
rentals, renters, and insurance policies,
and also try to cap the excessive pet deposit fees
that a lot of places are having, which is kind of making
a financially difficult for certain people to have animals
at whatever departments they may be at. A few other ones there, so some of the things that
can be done in Springfield, and just to kind of highlight to the press in the public, some
of the issues going on with the abundance of the animals coming into the knowledge of age,
but other shelters, thanks to your kind of labor. So everybody should have got the invite tomorrow
one o'clock at the shelter. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Development, member, tone of Tory.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Approval of DCO-38, if 25 is only 25, 11, to prove a variation or reduce the
very arts subject in 25 feet to approximately 19.2 feet for an existing
detached garage.
Is there a second?
Oh, okay.
It's a moved and seconded roll call, please.
Member Tornatory.
Member You?
Member Zay?
Member Kayhill?
Aye.
Member of Childress,
Member of Covert, Member of Desert, I, Member of Accove, Member of Evans.
Member Galansi, member Garcia, member Heather, member Honig, member Krojuski, member LaPlanz, member Martinez, member Ozag, and member Shorzy.
Member Totatori.
Thank you, ma'am. Sure, I'm move approval of BCO309-H2520-2532 to approve a variation of a reduced degree or a setback for a new
in the last edition, 25 feet to approximately 11.35 feet.
Leave it's granted, number 20.
Madam Chair, move approval of DC-040,
the S-25-Zoning 25-47 to approve a variation
reduced to corner-side subject for a part
of 30 feet to fraction 14 feet for a new pool.
Leave it's granted, number 20.
Madam Chair, move approval, DC-041, the S-25-Zoning 25-52,
to approve a variation to allow an adult use cannabis
dispensing organization with a 1500 feet from a preexisting public or private nursery school,
preschool primary secondary school.
Member Kay Hill, did you have a question? You just want to roll call.
Okay, can we go roll call please? Yes. Yeah, I call that you.
Okay, I just want to talk about this issue. I spoke to the mayor of the village of Addison and
He strongly objects to this as does the people in the village of Addison that are the city people.
He did attend the ZBA committee.
He did not file any kind of formal complaint.
I don't know if he was not aware that he was supposed to file a formal complaint.
But he did not file a formal objection to it.
But he has said to me, if you read the details behind it, there's two points.
There's a park, the village of Addison has a park district right there, a 40 acre property with an indoor outdoor pool, child care facilities.
They do not want a adult use cannabis dispensary right near there, they're afraid of that.
Second, there's the Islamic Society of Addison.
is they're actual building for the summer school is like 1,600 feet, so it's just outside
the 1,500 feet rule, but that is another objection also.
So I am voting no on this and I don't think it's a good precedent to start to allow a cannabis
dispensary within 1500 feet from pre-existing nursery school, preschool, primary, secondary school.
Thank you.
Member Childress.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'm in total agreement with Member Kale on this one.
That president is not good because of the park district and the school.
So I will be in no one else.
Okay.
member Evans. Thank you, Madam Chair. Can I ask how many feet is it's, you know, they want to allow the variation within 1,500 feet, but how many feet is it?
I think I can answer that the standard is 1,500 feet from an educational or child care facility.
There is the Islamic building in question has at its closest point a summer school, which is approximately
1,200 feet, but the actual child care and educational facility is either 1,600 or 1,700 feet from the
I'm talking, every zoning petition stands on its own every piece of real estate is unique.
There is no precedent that gets set.
One way or another, though I am a district one, the village of Madison did not file a formal
objection.
There was nobody at the development committee that objected to this, this was passed unanimously
by the zoning board of appeals, as well as the development committee, and for those reasons
I'd be building.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I haven't.
Mike Griffon.
I remember I haven't.
Somebody turned it up.
So if it's less.
If it's more than 1500 feet.
Why is it even on here.
I mean, there's got to be a different distance, right?
From pre existing nursery school, pre school primary or secondary school.
because I understand that the actual building is 12 hundred feet.
But the actual child care center in school is 17 hundred feet.
Okay, thank you.
Number covert.
Thank you Madam Chair.
I was in committee for this and I had some questions for Paul Haas,
regarding the school primarily in the summer school of the Islamic Center of Addison.
And I had asked the same questions. So this development for the dispensary is within the required range that it should be from schools according to our ordinance and statute.
So they can be there. I did ask if there were any objections made by the Islamic Center and I was told that there were no objections made.
So I, and I didn't hear anything about the city of Addison having a formal objection to it.
But I too had the same concerns but the Islamic Center stated that they did not have an issue with it.
And that's why I voted yes so it seems to have no problem there.
And again, I advocated for recreational facilities before because there are a lot of people who have ailments.
and they need medicinal cannabis for those ailments and they're unable to afford medication
or even the prescription for medical cannabis from doctor's offices because they're uninsured
or they don't have insurance.
So this actually allows people to take care of themselves with what they need.
And so I don't see any issue with this, so I'll be voting yes.
Okay, member Ozak.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I voted yes for this in development committee.
And thank you, Mr. Google.
I just looked up what a city block is in Chicago.
And it's 330 feet by 660 feet.
So if you want to think about city block lines,
this is almost 2.5 blocks away from the site.
So I will be staying with my yes vote for this.
Thank you.
Okay, anyone else?
Okay, roll call please.
Number 20, Tory.
Member you.
Members aye.
Aye.
Member Kayhill.
Member Childress.
Member Covert.
Aye.
Member Disart.
Aye.
Member Ackoff.
Aye.
Member Evans.
Member Glossy.
Member Garcia.
Member Heather.
Member Honig.
Member Krzysky, Member Lopland, Member Martinez, Member Ozog, and
Member Shorzy,
13-I-5-Nay,
does it need 13-I-5-Nay's motion passes?
Yes, just a reminder, it passes because it wasn't a formal objection.
We didn't need a reporter majority in this one.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
approval of DC-042-DS-25-Zoning-25-55 to approve a variation in increase the height of the
de-accessary building, 15 feet to approximately 18 feet.
Okay, we're going to need to roll call on this.
Roll call, please.
Okay.
Member 20 Tory.
Member Hugh.
Aye.
Member Zay.
Member Kayel.
Aye.
Member Childrens.
Member Covert.
Aye.
Member dessert.
Aye.
Member Ackoff, Member Evans, Member Galasi, Member Garcia, Member Heather, Member Honik, Member
Kyrgyzki, Member Leplant, Member Martinez, Member Ozag and Member Schorsey.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
First, I just want to mention that, I can I'm development follows, do you just
on public safety committee. So last week I had to leave early in order to try and start
academic development committee on time and it wasn't I didn't leave because I was not I didn't
find the discussion valuable that member Martinez had brought up. In fact I really wanted to
stay but could not in fact our committee could not start without quorum for like 20 minutes after
the start time. In any case I just want to mention that we did have a great presentation update
on the hotel transportation grant pilot program by Beth Marketti from the two page convention
and visitors bureau at the Economic Development Committee meeting and we hope that she will
come to finance committee in the near future to do her full update, but we are rapidly spending
those funds of $50,000 that the board had approved and we were spending them to great effect
and great economic impact. As of today's date more than half of that funding has been spent
for a room count of over 3,300 hotel rooms and a revenue there for a 450,000, 143 dollars.
So great impact. In addition, I'd like to provide a brief update on the Weowa federal funding
and its impact on work net due page and therefore the impact on the county. Both the Senate and House
operations committees have passed their respect.
Funding bills for the Department of Labor. And while the Senate's version supports continued investment in
Weowa and workforce development, the House bill proposes eliminating Weowa, adults, and youth funding
along with significant overall cuts to the Department of Labor. So Congress now needs to work toward a single version
that can be agreed upon, but as the September 30 deadline approaches, it's unclear that a continuing resolution will happen,
and work network page is very concerned that a shutdown seems more likely, so stay tuned.
Thank you. Moving on, I move on EDP-1-25, recommendation for the approval of a contract
to parents, Alliance Employment Project to provide job training and employment services to
use and do page counting for the Workforce Development Division for the period of October
1, 2025 to September 30, 26 for a contract amount not to exceed 590,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
It's been moved in seconded.
Will call please.
Member you.
Members aye.
Member Kahel.
Members shoulders.
Member covert.
Member dessert.
Aye.
Member act off.
Member Evans.
Member glossy.
Member Garcia.
Member Heather.
Member Honig.
Member Kyrgyzki.
Member Leplant.
Member Martinez.
Member Ozog.
Member Swarzy and Member Tornatory.
Okay.
Member U.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I move on EDP-2-25,
for a foundation for the approval of a contract
of Wheaton Warrenville CSCUSD-200,
provided training and employment services for youth clients
and two-page county.
For the workforce development division for the period of October 1,
2025 to September 30,
2026 for a contract not to exceed $200,000.
Leave us granted, Member U.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I move on EDP-3-25,
for a foundation for the approval of a contract
leaders and transformational education to provide job training and employment services for
use clients into page county for the workforce development division for the period of October
1, 2025 to September 30, 20, 26, for our contract amount not to exceed $120,000.
They've agreed to thank you, member you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Environmental and member Heather. No, I'm due to this point of time. Thank you.
Human services and member Swarzy. Thank you, Madam Chair. We have no agenda item today,
but I do have a report and it really revolves around your budget presentation.
So I got choked up here into your budget presentation
for the care and thoughtfulness
that you put into it, especially with your DuPage
sustainability initiative, keeping two and a half million dollars
available for whatever, it may be needed
for to help our most vulnerable, of course, affordable housing
is a huge one.
But the food insecurity is, I just can't stress enough,
how important it is.
I mean, I doubt there's anybody sitting in this room today that has one wonder where they're
going to get their next meal from.
I get statistics from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
We get these every month.
I think it was our human services committee.
Remember La Planner, maybe it was member K. Hill, that asked the Northern Illinois Food Bank
to provide updates on new users to our food pantry.
So thank you for that.
And I just got this the other day we didn't get to share in our meeting because we didn't have it.
There wasn't anything on the agenda so we canceled our meeting last week.
1,500, roughly 1,500 new users every single month do our food pantry.
So just in 20, 25 alone we've had close to 12,000 new individuals now.
When we go, the number we've been saying for the last few years is about 10% of our community,
of our county uses food countries, we've increased that by 12,000 new users, new users just in this past year.
So, very grateful for your dedication to feeding our community.
Thank you very much for your hard work with us.
Thank you.
Thank you, Member Swarzy, your leadership in this area is invaluable to the board's work.
Traditional and public safety and member Evans.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As we've mentioned it a few times in this meeting, under new business last week the discussion regarding ice rates in DuPage County and the Chicago area.
We had about a 55 minute discussion and our under share for more confirmed that the sheriff's office does not and will not aid ice in their mission.
So, and that's per state statute, and any, you know, accusations that they've been working with ICE, you know, it's hard to hear those accusations when there's no proof.
So, I just wanted to speak to that. And also, I wanted to let everybody know that anybody who didn't attend the committee meeting, it was a great discussion and I applaud.
Member Martinez for bringing up the discussion and the thing I want to highlight is that it was civil discourse.
We all spoke very, very civilly. We can all hear each other's opinions.
And we all want to solve these problems that we're seeing and we all want to help people.
So I really appreciate this board in that committee.
So with that, I will move on JPS CO-7-25.
Amendment to purchase order 7292-1 serve
issued to real-time networks to extend the contract
to December 31st, 2025, and increase the contract
in conference in the amount of $22,576
for a new contract total not to exceed $116,100.
It's been moved in seconded roll call, please.
Member you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Member Evans.
Member Colossie.
Member Garcia.
Member Heather.
Member Honig.
Member Krojewski.
Member LePlanz.
Member Martinez.
Member Ozog.
Member Shorzi.
Member 24.
Member you.
Members A, member Kay Hill, member Childress, member Covert, member dessert, I, and member
I call.
Member Evans.
Thank you.
I move on JPSP-35-25, recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to
microgenics corporation to provide court order drug testing and supplies with an
for 80 analyzer for a four year lease for the probation department for the period of October
1st, 2025 through September 30th, 2029 for a contract total amount not to exceed 284,211
per bid.
Leave its granted member Evans.
Thank you.
I move on JPSP-37-25, recommendation for the approval of a contract with Terry Allbright for
Crisis Counselor Services as a handler of a comfort dog to assist in therapeutic support for
and court staff for the period of October 6th, 2025 through October 5th,
26th for an amount not to exceed $48,000.
We've just granted member Evans.
Finally, I move on JPS-38-25,
recommendation for the approval of a contract to
Smego Management Group Inc.
DBA Hoffman House Catering to provide frozen package meals
for the seniors drive through a meal pilot program for the
Sheriff's Office for the period of October 1st, 2025
to September 30, 27 for a total contract amount not to exceed $142,000.
Leave us granted. Thank you, member Evans. Welcome back, member Swarzy. Legislative and
member to start. Thank you, Madam Chair. No welcome to you at this time.
Okay, thank you. Public works and member to Vice Chair Childress.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on PWP 2625 on the recommendation for the approval of a contract the
pilot dying for delivery of polymer to the Woodbridge Green Valley facility and the
No Woodways Water Treatment Plants for a period of November 125 to 85 through October
and $40,000.
Okay, it's been moved in seconded roll call, please.
Members, shoulders.
Yes, member covert, member dessert.
I, member act off, member Evans, member Galasi,
member Garcia, member Heather, member honic,
member cradiosky, member LaPlanz, member Martinez,
member Ozag, member Shorzi,
member Tornatory, member you, member Zay, and member K-Hell.
Vice Chair, Tilders.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on PWP 2725 on the recommendation for approval of a contract in
NICOR gas for natural gas delivery services for a period of October 1, 2025 to September 10,
for a total contract amount, not to see $375,000.
Leave its granted by its chair, Childress.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on PWP 2825 on the recommendation for the approval of agreement
between the County of DuPage, Illinois and Christopher B. Burke.
Engineering will all call professional engineering services
for various county water and wastewater distribution
distribution and collection systems for a period of September 23, 2025 to November 30, 2028.
It's been moved in seconded, roll call, please.
Members, shoulders. Yes, member covert. Member dessert. Aye. Member echo. Member Evans. Member glossy. Member Garcia. Member Heather. Member Honig. Member Krziuski. Member LaPlanz. Member Martinez. Member Ozog.
member Shorsey, member Tornatory, member you, member Zay, and member K-O.
Nice chair, Chilters.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on PWP 2925 on the recommendation for what approval between the County
of DuPage of Illinois and Strand Associates for Construction Management for various capital projects
for a period of September 23, 2025 to, I'm sorry, to August 31, 2026,
who are total contract amount not to exceed $50,000.
Leave is granted by the Churchholders.
Members, they saw the room so we can't do.
What's favorable room?
Leave is granted by the Churchholders.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I like to move on FMP-41-25 on a recommendation for the approval of a contract
to build a Chicago corporation,
to provide the benefit of maintenance for
and services and repair for overhead doors,
roller, roll-ups, shutters, and gate operators.
Levels, docked levels, and revolving doors,
as needed for the county facilities for facilities management,
for a period of over one, 2025,
through October 31, 2027 for total contract about,
That's in C, 240,000, 300,000.
We'll need a row of call, please.
He came in so quietly.
A member of Children's.
Member Covert.
Member to start.
I.
Member Ackoff.
Member Evans.
Member Galasi.
Member Garcia.
Member Heather.
Member Honig.
Member Krojuski.
Member LePlan.
Member Martinez, Member Ozag, Member Shorzi, Member Tony Tory, Member U, Member Zay, and
Member Kail.
Peace, Chair, Tilders.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on FMR 825, the amendment to FMP-2125, issue to builders of Chicago Corporation
to provide preventive maintenance service repairs for overhand doors, roller, roll ups, shutters,
gate operators, dock levelers, and revolving doors is needed for the county facility,
for the facility's management increasing the total contract amount by 2%.
We've been granted by Sir Tilldress. Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to move on FMP 4225 on
recommendation for the approval of a contract to
Jen served for Sima annual inspection preventive maintenance
and emergency on call services for campus back up emergency generators
for a period of November 1, 2020-25 through October 31-27,
We'll contract over a month and not to exceed 130,000, 830,000,000,000,000,000.
We've just granted Vice Chair Chilters.
Thank you, Madam Jenner.
I'd like to move on FMR, 925, the amendment to FMP-4225 issue to Jen Serve.
For some of my annual inspection preventative maintenance, and emergency call out.
Services for campus back up emergency generators for facilities management increasing the total contract by 2%.
Leave a screen to advice to your child rest.
Thank you madam chair. I'd like to move on FNP
4425 on the recommendation for the approval of the contract to S and I solutions
to
I think silence equals salt for the management grounds for a period of number one to 25
do I talk about 31 to 26 or a contract total amount not to see any six thousand two three hundred and two hundred
dollars.
So let's go over here.
I like to move on FMP 4525 on a recommendation to approve contracts to Nedro Painting, to provide painting of rooftop cooling tower structures at the power plant and facilities management for a period of September 24, 2025 through September 23, 23, 26, or total contract amount not to see 53,475 dollars.
We have been screened to advice to your children.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on FNP 4625 on the recommendation for the approval of a contract to
city of Wheaton for water utility services for the accounting campus facilities management
for a period of October 1, 2021, 25 through September 30, 2021, 29.
Well, total contract about not two weeks, the $3 million, $150,000.
You're a bit scared to hit by his tear child dress.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to move on from P-4725 on the recommendation for contract
to a week in Sanitary District for Sanitary Sewer Services,
for the campus, for the county campus,
for the facilities management for a period of October 1,
2020, 25, or September 30, 2020, 9, for a total contract amount, not to exceed 1,820,000,000.
You've been granted Vice Chair Children's.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and finally I'd like to move on from P4825 on the recommendation
for the approval contract to carbon-day EV charging to furnish the deliver.
1 charge point, 1 charge point, electrical vehicle charging station, level 3, to provide a 5-year
commercial cloud plan for the county campus for a period of September 24, 2025, September 23,
2030, or contract not to see $39,999.
leave is granted. Thank you Vice-Chair Children. Thank you Madam. Okay, stormwater and members A.
No update, Madam Chair. Okay, strategic planning and member Heather. Thank you, Madam Chair.
During our last meeting, as we know, the strategic plan has six priority pillars, and we focused on two
of those six priority pillars. Last time, and they were mobility and environmental stewardship.
I'd like to take a moment to thank the staff of working so hard and bringing us such in-depth
presentations. In letting us know exactly where we stand in terms of following our strategic plan
and I'm happy to report that we are absolutely on track in every single department that comes
on the mobility and environmental stewardship. So I just want to thank everybody for making that
happen and I highly encourage you to go on YouTube and watch that video. It's full of information
and I promise you won't let you sleep. So watch it before dinner. Thanks everyone. Okay,
Technology and Member Covert. Thank you, Madam Chair. I move our approval on TECO-4-25
recommendation for the approval of an amendment to purchase order issued to Shiba
Business Solutions for multi-functional and device equipment, supply software and service
solutions to increase the contract in the amount of 153,713 dollars and 67 cents, resulting
in an amended contract total amount not to exceed 1,906,862 dollars and 55 cents.
It's been moved in seconded, roll call, please.
Member Covert.
Aye.
Member Desert.
Aye.
Member Akhov.
Member Evans.
Member Galasi.
Member Garcia.
Member Heather.
Member Honig.
Member Krojuski.
Member Leplant.
Member Martinez.
Member Ozag.
Member Shorsey, Member Tornatory, Member You, Member Zay, Member Kail, and Member Childress.
Okay.
Member Colbert.
Thank you.
I move to combine item 20B and 20C.
All in favour?
Bye.
I move on to approval for TEP-12-25 recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase
order issued to Insight Public Sector.
for the purchase of no B4 software for cybersecurity awareness training and
fishing testing for the information technology department for the period of
October 30, 2025 through October 29, 2026 for a contract total amount not to
exceed 33,792 dollars for contract pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act.
I move for approval on TEP-13-25, recommendation for the approval of a
Contract purchase order to inform you as ink for ERP software maintenance and support for information
technology for the period of December 1st, 2025 through November 30th, 206 for a contract total
amount of $250,380 and 75 cents, not suitable for competitive bits.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I move for approval.
I move to combine items 21 A, B, and C.
I move for approval of 2521, 68.
Amendment to Resolution D, T, P, 3, 24.
Issue to Alfred Benash and Company to provide professional construction engineering services.
for improvements at Geneva Road Bridge over the west branch of the DuPage River to increase
the funding in the amount of $138,658, resulting in an amended contract total amount of
$997,932.
I move for approval of item 252171, amendment to Resolution DTP, 124 issued to support a group for
improvements along County Highway 11 Army Trail Road Bridge over the west branch DuPage River
to increase the contact in the amount of $49,885,000,
resulting in the Mended Contract Auto amount,
to not exceed $710,000, $280,700, $710,200,
$10,200 in 4 cents.
I move for approval of $25,2208,
amendment to DTR 390921,
and corporate credit to decrease the remaining
and conference and close the contract provide 2022,
2223 traffic signal street light maintenance for the division of transportation the
contract gets fired on November 30th, 2023.
It's been moved in seconded roll call, please.
Member Ozzong.
Member Swarzy.
Member 24.
Member you.
Member Zay.
Member Kayhill.
Member Children's.
Member Cover.
Member dessert.
I, member Akhov, member Evans, member Galasi, member Garcia, member Heather, member Honeg,
member Kyrgyzki, member LaPlanves, and member Martinez.
Okay, member Ozag, thank you, I move for approval of DTR 3025, awarding resolution to
need incorporated for the 2026-2027 traffic signal and street light maintenance at various
locations with Injupage County. For the estimated county cost of 7 million 718,158 dollars
in 36 cents.
Her lowest response will be.
We have approval of DTR-3125 awarding resolution Schroeder Assault Services for the
Since, per lowest responsible bid.
Okay, leave is granted.
Member Ozak.
Thank you.
I move for approval of DTR-3225 Resolution to support and participate in the Dialoride Study for DuPage County.
Conducted by the RTA through the Community Planning Grant Program.
County costs not to exceed $150,000.
Leave is granted.
Member Ozak.
Thank you.
I move for approval of DTP-4525 recommendation for the approval of a contract to state testing LLC.
for professional materials testing and engineering services for the division of transportation,
$180,000, storm water management, $20,000, for a contract total not to exceed
$200,000 for professional services,
vetted through a qualification-based selection process.
Leave us granted, Member Ozone.
Thank you.
I'm in for approval of DTP-4625 recommendation from the approval of a contract purchase order
to NYCAR gas to provide natural gas distribution services as needed for the division of transportation
for the period of October 1st, 2025 through September 30th, 2019, for a contract total
net to exceed $130,000.
Leave us great to thank you, Member Ozak.
Thank you.
Okay, we're going to move on to old business.
Okay,
Member Honeck.
Thank you, Chair.
First, I wanted to start off by saying thank you for your thorough and really concise budget
presentation in regards to food insecurity, affordable housing and the capital improvement
projects and stormwater that are much needed in this county, the investment and the budget you
put forth, the balanced budget at that will be transformed for this county, so thank you
for the work that you did and all staff putting together that budget and all the other county
I also want to say thank you to everyone who came today to speak up.
Out and to comment on what's been going on here in DuPage, it's courageous, it is, it makes a difference when you make your voices heard like this because this is, this is something that is affecting everyone, like you all have said in all of your individual comments.
In like I said last week at JPS, what is happening is horrifying, it's traumatizing and it's horrific for everyone, including our immigrant brothers and sisters here in DuPage County.
And no one should be afraid to go to work.
No one should be afraid to take their children to school.
And no one should be afraid just to be living in their homes
and fear that if they walk out, that they will be kidnapped.
And that's a really sad reality
to have to say out loud and it's horrible
that we've come to this.
The fact that due process has been trampled
that people even as close to home here
have been kidnapped by people that are in mass, that do not have warrants that aren't asking
people to, you know, ISIS not identifying themselves in most of these cases, and the people
that they are kidnapping are not criminals. These are people in our communities. These are people's
brothers and sisters. They are parents. And they're kidnapped by the very system that they pay
into, by the way, that they are not receiving the same type of care that a lot of other people
do.
And as we saw, and I know a public comment mentioned in the September 8th ruling, now the
courts have deemed that we can now ice can use prejudice to based on accent based on skin
color, and that is a very simple thing to understand where, you know, this is, it is
So frustrating to operate in a space where this is happening so close to home, and we need
you to keep on speaking.
We need to keep on making sure that our immigrants, brothers, and sisters here are supported
by all of us and that we can use our platforms to elevate the voices that are being drawn
up because they are so scared to even come out of their homes.
And mind you, a lot of people that don't want to come out of these homes need food, and they can't even go to a food pantry.
They have, you know, whether it's rental assistance or some sort of community service that they're being provided, they can't even come out of their homes for basic needs that we should be guaranteeing them under our constitution.
And, again, I think that this kind of goes to the point of, I think it's repetitive over and over and over since the start of this year, the administration wants us to be afraid they want us to stop talking, they want us to not speak up, but we won't stop speaking up and we need to make sure that the immigrant community here in DuPage is supported and that's all I have to say. Thank you.
Vice Chair, Childress.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to start by thanking you for your remarks. It was very, very inspiring.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the JPS, many meeting the term illegals was using this boardroom.
It was very boardroom at least three times. I was deeply offended by its use.
The word illegal is not inherently racist, how and when the Jews can carry racial and xenophobic overtones.
When it's used as a noun, referring to people as illegals, is widely considered dehumanized.
It reduces the individual to its legal status, to a legal status, and it's often directed at immigrants of a specific region.
I.E. Latin Americans was gives racial overtones and effect. The term illegal when you use
the term illegal as shorthand for undocumented implies that a person's entire existence
is unlawful and can be reinforced by harmful stereotypes. I'm recommending, I respectfully request
the chair for it with the use of the term illegal in this boardroom and also the human resource
in discouraging the use of the term illegal on the weed and campus replacing them with its
more accurate term undocumented immigrant or unauthorized immigrant which avoids the humanized.
Thank you.
member Ozak. Thank you, Madam Chair. This week, a constituent shared with me a story that
boss the school boss after school from Glenburg, North, was dropping children off at a
Partman Complex Ice was present.
Senate, sobbing, just huge distress on the bus, and the bus driver ended up taking the bus back to Glenburg,
North. I don't know anything further about the story. I think everyone has stories this week,
unfortunately. I do want to ask a question of, under share of more, one of the public participation
people had requested, or had stated that the Sheriff's Office was participating in that people
were, at least two people were picked up outside the jail. I'm just, I think what I'm looking
for is affirmation, that that is public record when someone is being released. So I assume
that means that they would have had that information and that you simply had to turn them over
or they were there, et cetera.
Is that correct?
We didn't turn it over anybody.
I'm sorry.
We did not turn over anyone.
The individual were released out into the lobby.
So they were released.
And how would they have known that?
Is that public record of some sort?
Or it's going to be a long, forth and record when you're arrested.
You're going to get fingerprinted.
Those are going to be put in the system.
I think it's a national crime information center.
And they will get an alert that the individual has been arrested and more like the
to be kind of jail. This is also happening can count and for sure the
crisis has been waiting outside of their facility also.
I want to clarify that information is available to them separate from you.
So, they do not get that information from them.
Correct. They are a law enforcement entity.
They were there. The person was released. They picked them up.
Correct. So, okay.
So, I just wanted to make sure that this thing lies in any way.
Guys, did not have any partners.
No, we did not.
Okay, thank you. I appreciate that.
No, but I would like to just add to that that, you know, we're all living through something
we could never have fathomed, correct?
So when you see something on our campus, instead of posting it on Facebook and not understanding
what's happening, I would truly appreciate a phone call to be made and I would, I'm talking
directly about this particular situation, there were two on, there were two plain closed
men here that were with ICE, they were in our public area of the jail.
When we heard about it, we checked, they checked their identification.
They were from ICE, they had a warrant.
When the man was let out, they peacefully took him.
And that was what happened.
But sadly, someone posted on Facebook, the picture,
and I think created some chaos in fear in people
that didn't have to happen had a phone call been made.
So please, I'm employing people.
Please don't put out information if you're not sure if I don't have the answer I will get you the answer
You have my word on that
Thank you, and that's what I wanted to clarify. Member Swarzy
Thank you, man. I'm sure again
You know, reiterate what some of the other members have said. Thank you to all the people out there who spoke this morning
You know, I hear you. We hear you.
I
chair comments this morning about this
isolation chair, your leadership and
dedication to taking care of our
communities is loud and clear.
And there was some chit chat out there
today about out in the public about
forming an ad hoc committee if there's
someone on this board that wants to take
the leadership on that, I'd be proud to be
on that committee.
Okay, remember you.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
So first I just want to again thank you
also for your unequivocal statement
with regards to the ice rates and the importance of due process of law.
Had I been able to stay for the JPS meeting last Tuesday, I would have just dated that there
really is no question.
It's very commonly recognized the constitution and particularly the Fifth Amendment.
It really is about people on U.S. soil.
It doesn't say no citizen shall be deprived of life liberty and due process of law, but it's
no person in that space on personhood and jurisdiction.
Second, I want to echo members of the Statement with regards to the word E. Legals.
So, it is a real pejorative statement. Just like we don't say a person with mental illness
someone who's crazy or an insane person, we say a person with mental illness. Likewise, with regard
to people with undocumented status. Every legal aid attorney, I'm a legal aid attorney
and other immigration attorneys that I personally know, we use the legal term of undocumented
status, a person with no status, an undocumented immigrant.
So I just really would hope that, and encourage the members of the county board would use
those legal terms as opposed to legal, the legal, and lastly, I just want to mention that
when we went to the National Association of Counties, Organization and Needs.
I think that year or two ago, we actually had an immigration session and they actually provided us a flowchart of the immigration process for any person coming into the United States or wanting to become a citizen.
And we found out that it would take a person, some people, a lot of people, a hundred twenty-seven years to go through the immigration process as it is currently.
So, as you stated in your statement, Chair Conroy, I would hope that we would lobby for at the federal level an achievable pathway to citizenship.
I think that is something that we really need to talk to.
Our federal lobbyist about in any of our representatives at the federal level.
Thank you.
Member Covert.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just wanted to thank you for your budget presentation.
I am really happy and I'm excited to support it, especially with the food insecurity, it's
it's a huge, it's going to be a huge problem and thank you for setting aside money for that
and funding that fully and for the housing as well. That's very important. So thank you for
your budget presentation. I wholeheartedly support it and then regarding the ice rates,
They're horrific and very damaging to so many communities.
Hispanic and Latino communities are being deeply affected.
But there are also communities outside of that.
There are Koreans that are being arrested.
There are Indians.
There are Pakistanis.
There are so many different Czechoslovakians being deported and so many people being
affected by this.
And I just want to remind everybody,
I was on the phone last night actually talking to somebody
because they thought we do immigration law.
I do not do immigration law, but we do have wonderful attorneys
that can.
This is not a plug for my business, but I just want to remind
everybody that we are handed out these green cards.
And I don't know if you guys still have them,
but they're very important to keep.
And I'm talking to county board members here and also
to the public if you have this.
This is the Illinois Coalition for Immigration Immigrant and Refugee Rights Card ICIR.
There's a number right here that you can call that people can call and they do have
English, Spanish, and Polish translation, so that's all I wanted to say.
Thank you.
Member Martinez.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
Your words were very strong.
I appreciate your words so much you have no idea, along with that everyone who spoke last Tuesday and voiced all of your thoughts they were all very well received.
As a result of last Tuesday, I feel very honored and proud of everyone who came here today.
every single person who took the time out of their day to express what they are living through
and their thoughts on next steps.
Overall, last Tuesday, I spoke saying we don't know what the next step is and I'm looking for clarity,
but it is so clear, so loud and clear that the message is that we want unity and we want
every source that we have available to be able to help and take care of our people, like
you said, Madam Chair.
So I welcome every single piece of suggestions that were made, the ideas that came forward,
Because, as Lisa mentioned and other people mentioned, we currently have residents patrolling
streets.
We have organizations that are pulling out of their own resources, their own funds to help
support a community and I think as a county, we can step up to alleviate some of that support
that is greatly needed. I have personally, patrol streets at 6 a.m. because I truly feel deeply
said in by what has happened, and I feel the strong need to take action.
As we all spoke, and I agree with everyone who has spoken today,
the issue.
Members that are going to arise if action is not taken and if leadership does not step up is the trauma that is accumulating and the mental health that is being affected of our children.
of everyone, but most of all, our children,
last Wednesday,
it was a difficult day just deciding
what to do, what to say. Outside of that, I had an emergency at work. I called my son to let him
know something was happening, and I needed to, he needed to say in my parents' care, and
he immediately was very anxious and tearful. I didn't understand why he would not tell me
why. It wasn't until like a home later that night that he told me he was afraid of ice.
And we all know that he has known, that is, that is not what he should be fearing, but
he did, and it was traumatizing for me to know that he is exposed to this, all of our
children are exposed to this, and they cannot understand and it will affect our children's
future.
So, the recommendations of forming an ad hoc committee, I think, are strong, I think, are very well founded in a great effort.
And, of course, I volunteer to be a part of it.
In any way, shape or form, because I do believe there are many very, very strong organizations in DuPage County.
And if we are all working together for the same cause,
we will be stronger for our people.
Member Heather.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to everyone who spoke during public comments today.
I want to emphasize that all of you stayed positive,
and all of you focused on finding solutions.
And that's what true leadership is all about.
It's about staying positive, constructive,
and looking for solutions that could owe to you for that.
Madam Chair, your remarks or so courageous and so strong.
So thank you for your leadership and thank you for your courage in times of such fear and uncertainty.
I want to share a little bit of data from ICE that shows that Illinois alone from January 2025 to July 2025.
there have been 1470 apprehensions.
Last year, 2024, in all of the full year of 2024,
there were 1462 apprehensions.
So if you look at half of the year this year,
we are already surpassed that number.
And if you follow that trend,
we are looking at at least 2500 apprehensions
in Illinois alone in 2025.
These people are overwhelmingly,
of Latinx background mostly from Central and South America.
In April of last week, these people were fixing someone's roof and they were chased
down the street.
This person is left for the whole in their roof and it was cloudy to then I was wondering
what if it rains today, what happens to their house, it is affecting the quality of life
of the people, it is affecting people's livelihood and it is also affecting all of us
in that we feel fear, we feel uncertainty.
When my 13 year old comes home and says mom,
do you know Supreme Court allows now to be
for us to be racially profiled?
Think about that as a mother for a 13 year old
to come home from school and say, mom,
I can be racially profiled for being who I am.
I haven't done anything wrong.
It's a heartbreaking sentiment for a mother
and end for anyone.
So I feel for all of you for showing up,
taking the time for showing the courage and I applaud all my county board members.
Sorry, for being so supportive and standing up for what's right.
Thank you so much.
Member Garcia.
I wasn't here at the GPS meeting.
I was stuck in traffic with the car accident.
So I would have up to Ben here just to add my two cents.
But I'm going to add a little bit now of what I feel.
What is happening right now, and I have to give Kudos to the audience here for everyone who spoke today, is wrong in every single way.
And you said it very well today, Chair, and I appreciate it.
We are having a situation where there is absolutely no due process, absolutely none, and until we see that change, I am just so fearful for my children, not even for myself, for this country and what it's becoming quite honestly.
I wish we could, on the county board, fix this situation, I really do.
I wish there was something that we could do.
An ad hoc is a great idea.
You came with great ideas today, and I really appreciate what you came with as the public.
And I think we should take some of those under consideration.
But unfortunately, as a county board, what we can do is make the bubble that we live in
page county, a little bit better, and I think that this was addressed to the county
years.
Budget presentation today, I mean, we've got housing innovation, we've got in creating
landbakes, we've got, we're going to do housing innovation in terms of, I think, dealing
with the unhoused also, which is something that was a big issue, yes, last year.
We've got, you know, money going to the food insecure, you know, these things we can do with,
from stormwater to everything else, these are things we can't help with, and at the same time
in our personal life we have to go out and we have to keep fighting. We have to keep fighting
and keep saying the word. I was in another state world, Minnesota this weekend, they do not know what's
happening here. They do not know it and they do not hear it. It is like, they don't know it.
Although there was a small group of people protesting and so I feed me great hope and I was like,
Okay, there's some, but I mean, it's not the same.
It's like we're living in a bubble here
and it's not being talked about
and I don't know how else to get the word out.
So keep talking, keep being loud.
We all need to consider that we're doing the same thing.
And then on here on the county board,
we have to keep working hard to make
fiscal responsibility and priority
as well as keeping our lives better
for the people that live here in all ways
and for everyone.
So thank you.
Anybody else?
Just really briefly, I have a story I want to share with you, and there's a young family
that lives in Go Park, and they have two small children, there's seven and ten years old.
And the mom shared with me the conversation she had to have with her kids, and she said,
if you get pulled over with Daddy in the car, I want you to know that we will get Daddy back,
And if someone takes you, someone will come and get you.
I'm a man of four boys.
I can't explain to you how that made me feel.
I can't explain to you what...
What do I say to this beautiful young man who's simply trying to raise a family?
Go home, hug your kids, talk about it, please.
This has to stop.
Anybody in new business, members say?
Thank you, ma'am, Chair.
You know what the budget address today?
I think it reminds us what our core mission is in responsibility of the board.
As I said in JPS, I think we need to tone down the national rhetoric that we do get along well on this board.
But also as elected officials and leaders, there's responsibility to free speech.
Many times, I personally have been called out on this board for social media posts by the Republican Party when I was the chair.
We had a former member, D. C. Iani, that made comments that we had four hours of public comment that people wanted to express
former member, Nuna, who had liked something on Facebook, who was called out.
So, as we see violence against people, I was disappointed and troubled when one of our leaders in a Vulcan aim of Hitler and a social media post.
And I'm sure that was intent to go after national Republican leaders, but people don't know the difference.
And when somebody does that, that hits the six Republican board members in this room.
And I can tell you after my 26 years, this is the first time I am concerned about my safety.
It is very interesting when I have a conversation with my two sons of my wife last night that tell them,
You know what?
Let's not answer the front door anymore.
Just let it ring.
I mean, right or wrong, whatever you think, when you have a 31 year old activist, gun down,
because of this speech and because of what he believed, that's not right.
and we can't do that. We have responsibilities as leaders. And again, disappointed and troubled by comments like that.
So I'm hoping as we go into the election season that we tone it down.
That we remember that we're working together what we do as leaders makes a difference because there are people out there who don't know the difference between, when you say something about a national leader calling somebody out, and a local leader, felt they think it's one of the same.
So again, I'm just caution everybody, hopefully we can, you know, work together and tone this rhetoric down and do the best for do page counting that we can.
And that we take care of our people, and that we be responsible when we do social media posts.
Thank you.
Member Galosi.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just wanted to also say that, you know, I think this board has been a cohesive well.
Serving board for the people of DuPage, and I personally actually received somewhat threatening
in the last week, and I just, to echo what members say is saying, I think for the safety
of all the board members to tone down the political rhetoric is just something that I would
like to request because the tragedy of what happened two weeks ago is just something kind
of inconceivable.
So I just wanted to mention that on a brighter note, I wanted to once again welcome all the students here from
Hensel Central's APGov class, and you know, I think you guys have gotten a great experience today hearing a lot of different aspects of what's going on at
DuPage County, so thank you for being here.
Okay.
Member Ozak?
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Unfortunately, today, one of their public speakers used the phrase, unfortunately, she had
to use the phrase, and Frank level intimidation.
Several years ago, I visited Anne Frank's home or shelter during those years.
And once you've seen it and once you see what they're doing, I am 67 years old in my lifetime.
I have never heard of people being patrolling streets to protect their neighbors.
People hiding, a school bus that has to be turned around because there are people perhaps
trying to take people from their homes in an apartment complex.
This is very serious and I don't use the phrase Nazi, but this is a very, very frightening
situation that we are in.
And it's on both sides, unfortunately, and right now, I would like to ask everyone to take a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker of Marina, Melissa Fortman, and her husband Mark, who are assassinated June 14th in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
What's happening in this country is very serious, very dangerous, and we have to figure out a way to move from this, but I really appreciate all of you who spoke today.
And thank you.
Okay. We'll take a moment of silence for everyone, yes, who has lost their lives because
they spoke up for something they believed in. That is something that should never happen
in our country.
Anybody else? Members, forzy.
Thank you, man. Chair.
So, this discussion that we were having under new business, I think
It is important and I think the advice that we've heard is something we should all take
heat in.
I do have, but it reminded me of your situation a few years ago when you received multiple
death threats, multiple death threats.
And there was a lot of silence on this board then.
So starting now, let's make sure we take that advice that we heard today.
Thank you.
Thank you, Member Swarzee.
And I would just ask all of us, including members, eh.
Well, yes, I was the one who put their post on there.
I would ask us all to please reflect on what that said.
Give it some thought.
And I would not like to share with you the names that I was called by folks for that post.
But the C word was very prevalent and my life again was threatened.
So please, this board is a beacon of hope for our entire country.
I truly believe that every single one of you.
You can't tell a Democrat from a Republican in this room very often.
Let's continue that way.
This is about human rights. It's not about one partier or another I'm informed with you
We do not have matters before us requiring us to enter into executive session. I'll take a motion to adjourn the meeting of September, until September 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. for the passage of the property tax, levy, pursuant of 35-L-C-S-200.
This is Jan.
All in favor.