Some of the estimated 1,000 runners who turned out last year for the College of DuPage’s annual Food Truck Rally and Sunset 5K. COD will host its eighth annual event Oct. 13, on the college’s Glen Ellyn campus.

COUNTY

Cronin proposes 8th budget with no property tax increase

For the eighth consecutive year, DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin has presented the County Board with a balanced budget that does not increase the County’s portion of the property tax levy.

The total proposed budget is $433.8 million, down $5.8 million from the previous fiscal year, and $43.9 million less than Fiscal Year 2011, Cronin’s first year in office. The proposed property tax rate remains flat at $66.9 million for the 11th straight year. The total full-time headcount is 2,167, which is down from 2,270 in FY 2011.

Due to fluctuating sales tax revenues and increasing personnel costs, the proposed budget calls for 10 percent cuts to the DuPage Care Center subsidy, Stormwater Management Department, and the Human Services Grant Fund, in addition to department-wide cuts of 1 percent from salary lines.

County offering aid for heating bills

With cold temperatures just around the corner, DuPage County Community Services is accepting applications for the annual Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through May 31, 2019, or until funds are depleted.

The DuPage County Department of Community Services is accepting winter heating applications by appointment only from senior citizens, age 60 and older, or people with disabilities. Beginning Nov. 1, applications will be taken for seniors, disabled, disconnected and households with children 5 and under. All other eligible households may begin applying on Dec. 3. Benefits are paid directly to the utilities on behalf of eligible households.

Households with combined gross income for the 30 days beginning with the date of the application iat or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level may be eligible to receive assistance. A single-person household can qualify for the program with a monthly gross income of up to $1,518; a two-person household up to $2,058; and a family of four can earn up to $3,138.

The State of Illinois is offering the PIPP Program (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) for the current program year through Dec. 31, or until funds are exhausted. 

Customers must bring the following required documentation when applying for assistance:

• Social Security Cards for all household members;
• Proof of gross income from all household members for the 30 days prior to the date of application beginning with the date of application;
• Current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days (if they pay for the energy directly); and
• A copy of the lease for anyone who rents. 

For more information, DuPage County residents may call (630) 407-6500, (800) 942-9412 (toll-free) or visit www.dupageco.org.

OAK BROOK

Voters can ask questions about referendum at open houses

Oak Brook voters are invited to two open houses where they can ask questions about the Oak Brook Park District’s upcoming $17.9 million referendum to acquire land known as McDonald’s Fields.

The Oak Brook Park Board unanimously voted to put the referendum on the Nov. 6 election ballot seeking approval for a bond sale to fund the purchase of the 34 acres of McDonald’s-owned property at Jorie Boulevard and Kensington Road.

A successful referendum would increase property taxes, by adding about $266 a year to a home with a fair market value of $1 million, park officials said. The bonds would be paid off over a 20-year period.

Voters attending the open houses can learn more about the measure, and are welcome to ask park district staff and commissioners questions. The sessions will be held from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 18 and 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 5, at the Family Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook.

These sessions are designed to be informal drop-in events. Residents attending them will receive the same information, regardless of the time they arrive.

WHEATON/WARRENVILLE

Educational foundation has new executive director

Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200’s Student Excellence Foundation has its first executive director. She is Vicki D. Sebela, who previously served as the executive director of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce.

In her new position, Sebela will work closely with the foundation’s board of directors on the foundation’s fundraising and grant programs, which support the foundation’s mission to “engage the community to enrich educational experiences that empower students to reach their greatest potential.”

ELMHURST

Giuliana, Bill Rancic talk about how cancer changed their lives

TV personality Giuliana Rancic, and her entrepreneur husband, Bill, will discuss the impact of Giuliana’s breast cancer on their lives, when the couple participates in Elmhurst College’s observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month later this month.

The Rancics will present “In Sickness and in Health … A Love Story” on Oct. 25, as part of this year’s Roland Quest Lecture Series at Elmhurst College. Their talk will focus on Giuliana’s breast cancer diagnosis seven years ago and its impact on their lives and their family, its transformation of their careers and strengthening of their commitment to each other—and to finding happiness.

Giuliana Rancic is a well-known entertainment journalist and can be seen nightly as co-anchor of E! News. In 2012 she created Fab-U-Wish, a program to grant fashion, beauty and celebrity-themed wishes to women battling breast cancer. Bill Rancic came onto the national scene when he won the first season of the NBC program “The Apprentice.” Today he is an entrepreneur, restaurateur and motivational speaker on the subjects of entrepreneurship and business.

Their program will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 25, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on the Elmhurst College campus. Admission is $10 and free for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Tickets are available by visiting elmhurst.edu/cultural. For more information, call 630-617-5186.

GLEN ELLYN

Food truck rally, 5K planned for Oct. 13

Enjoy selections from 17 food trucks and then run off the calories Oct. 13 at the College of DuPage’s eighth annual Food Truck Rally and Sunset 5K.

Presented by DuPage Medical Group, the event will be held from 2-8 p.m. on the college’s Glen Ellyn campus, with a VIP hour from 1-2 p.m. It will include family activities, such as Touch-A-Truck, Kid Zone, the 100-Yard Youth Dash and the new COD Sunset Costume Contests.

The Food Truck Rally will feature cuisine from 17 local eateries, including Cupcakes for Courage, Best Truckin’ BBQ, Toasty Cheese and more. VIP Food Truck Rally passes are available and allows for early entrance at 1 p.m., reserved parking and voting rights for favorite food trucks.

Race registration remains open for the Sunset 5K, which will begin at 4:30 p.m. on COD’s Track and follow a USA Track and Field-certified course on campus.

Visit the College of DuPage Food Truck Rally and Sunset 5K site at cod.edu/5k/index.aspx to learn more about the event and registration.

–DuPage County News Briefs–