DuPage's FEMA Flood Disaster Center Opened in Lisle; Assistance Available

DuPage County residents affected by the mid-April flooding can apply for assistance via the Internet, phone or by going to the Lisle Police Department in person.

DuPage's FEMA Flood Disaster Center Opened in Lisle; Assistance Available

DuPage County residents affected by the mid-April flooding can apply for assistance via the Internet, phone or by going to the Lisle Police Department in person.

The following is a press release from DuPage County: DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin urges residents affected by the recent flood to apply for federal assistance to help alleviate expenses incurred in the recovery process from the April storms. “More than 9,000 DuPage County homes and businesses received extensive damage to their properties from the  April flood. In an effort to help relieve some of the financial burden, the federal government is providing grants and low-interest loans to help cover some of the uninsured costs endured by families. I urge residents to apply for these grants and loans as they continue to work with their insurance companies during this recovery process,” said Cronin.  Throughout the past month, DuPage…

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Letter to the Editor

Letter: Let's Redesign Government to Benefit the Taxpayer

Senate Bill 494 would eliminate waste, allow for sharing of services.

Illinois’ 7,000 units of government have created multiple layers of inefficiency that place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers. In an effort to reduce the size, scope and cost of local government, I have initiated legislation in Springfield that would provide DuPage County with new tools to achieve incremental reform. Senate Bill 494 would allow county leaders to make the tough choices necessary to eliminate wasteful and redundant layers of government when it has been determined to be in the best interest of taxpayers. A recent assessment of county-appointed agencies revealed many opportunities for shared services, consolidation and in some cases dissolution. These 24 agencies account for nearly $300 million in tax dollars, …

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Watchdog Group: Motives in DuPage Board Chair Cronin’s Hirings?

In a report titled “Cronin’s Cronies,” the Better Government Association suggests that the Republican chairman may be cozying up to establishment Democrats.

Four companies with ties to important Illinois state legislators, companies that have previously done little work in DuPage County, have received over $300,000 in county work since Republican Dan Cronin became DuPage County Board chairman, the watchdog group Better Government Association (BGA) is reporting.  In an article entitled “Cronin’s Cronies,” the BGA speculates that Cronin’s administration could be selectively contracting in order to curry favor with Democrats for his legislative agenda and his political future.  Three of the four mentioned ties are with Democrats—a financial services company who employs House Speaker Michael Madigan’s son, and two law firms at which Senate President John Cullerton and state senator Don Harmon are …

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Legislators Turn Their Attention to DuPage Forest District as a Way to Save Taxpayers Money

Reboletti wants to disband the Forest Commission, Conroy wants to get rid of commissioners' pay.

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-45th) of Elmhurst last week sponsored HB 2481, which would dissolve the DuPage County Forest Preserve District Board and transfer the responsibilities of the Forest District to the DuPage County Board in 2016. In response late Friday, the DuPage Legislative Committee scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 26, to discuss the bill. "Before legislation of this magnitude is voted on in Springfield, I think it is important that all sides of the issue are explored," said Legislative Committee Chairman JR McBride in a prepared statement. "While I am open to the idea of a study to analyze a possible merger, I do not believe this bill has any merit until due diligence has been given on the subject." Reboletti …

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Dave

10:25 am on Friday, May 17, 2013

Agree 100%. Let Conroy go without her paycheck, perks and benefits that are breaking the back of Illinois taxpayers. As an state representative, she is just a "part-timer" as well.   more ›

DuPage County Budget Is $7.3 Million Less Than Last Year

Budget cuts seven staff positions and appropriates $16.9 million for campus and county-wide improvements.

DuPage County Board Tuesday approved a fiscal year 2013 budget that is $7.3 million less than the previous year, according to a press release from DuPage County. Board Chairman Dan Cronin of Elmhurst said in a statement the $432.6 million budget represents his commitment to reduce the financial burden of government on taxpayers. Since taking office, Cronin has reduced the county’s budget by more than $13 million, according to the release.  “It is important that we demonstrate to taxpayers that government can make the sacrifices necessary to meet the bottom line. The fiscal year 2013 budget is a testament to that pledge," Cronin said. Finance Chairman Paul Fichtner of Elmhurst said this is the fifth consecutive year the county has not …

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County Referendum on Dual Elected Duty will be on November Ballot

Referendum is advisory; DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin says County Board duties require "undivided focus."

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by DuPage County officials. DuPage County voters will be asked this November whether one elected official should be permitted to hold more than one elected office at the same time. The DuPage County Board Tuesday approved an advisory referendum question that will appear on the November general election ballot asking voters: “Should Illinois law permit an individual to hold two or more public elected offices simultaneously?” DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin sought the referendum question in order to gauge the public’s sentiment on the issue. Two sitting DuPage mayors are running for election to the DuPage County Board this fall, Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni and Burr Ridge Mayor …

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DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin will Ask County Board to Approve Referendum on Dual Elected Duty

Cronin will bring the issue to the board for approval on Tuesday.

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin has announced he will introduce a referendum question on the November ballot regarding dual office holders. According to a press release from the county, if the County Board approves an advisory referendum, it would ask voters if Illinois law should permit an individual to hold two or more local elected offices simultaneously. Cronin will introduce the measure at the County Board meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the County Board room at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. The issue of dual elected duty is pertinent to two DuPage County mayors who are running for County Board, Elmhurst Mayor Peter DiCianni and Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso. Both have said they would like to retain their …

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Dan F.

9:46 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Exactly right. Chairman Cronin should look in the mirror first. Twenty years of being a RINO lackey for Madigan has it's benefits.   more ›

DuPage Releases Stress Tests on E-911 Board, Airport Authority, Fire Protection Districts

More inefficiencies found in this final round, next steps include plan of action for reform, consolidation.

Editors note: This information was provided by the public relations arm of the DuPage County Board. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin released the final round of “stress tests” of county departments Wednesday, May 9. Under the microscope in this latest search for waste and inefficiency were the DuPage Emergency Telephone System Board, DuPage Airport Authority and the fire districts of Fairview, Glenbard, Lisle-Woodridge, Naperville, North Westmont, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago and Yorkfield. Analysis already has been performed on DuPage Housing Authority, Sheriff’s Merit Commission, the Election Commission, Water Commission and the sanitary districts of Downers Grove, Highland Hills, Salt Creek and Wheaton. The stress test was …

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Jim Court

10:02 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

I am not so sure that it is incorrect to embrace Ms. Preckwinkle.She appears to be doing an outstanding job of improving what the County Board does. Do we need to have this constant division of political parties? Does it really serve the best interests of our state? Do you have to be anti-union to be a good Republican? Mr. Cronin seems to be cleaning up DuPage County and I am sure that this will …   more ›

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin Takes His 'Stress Test' Findings on the Road

Government reform on the agenda at Cronin's City Club of Chicago appearance.

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin of Elmhurst is spreading the word about his sweeping overhaul of county government. Cronin, appearing at a City Club of Chicago public affairs forum Tuesday, said there is little hope of restoring the economy if  “government keeps taking and wasting money.”   As a way to reform government, Cronin is leading an unprecedented analysis of 24 local agencies that range from mosquito abatement and fire protection districts to the DuPage Election Commission. The agencies account for $300 million and nearly 900 employees. The “stress tests” of these agencies is  ongoing, but already several instances of financial strain and operational mismanagement has been found at some of these entities.   “This is not a …

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