DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy congratulated staff at the June 23 County Board meeting for earning two 2026 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties. The Crisis Recovery Center was recognized in the health category, while the county’s comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity received an award in the human services category. The awards honor innovative and effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
“Receiving national accolades for this type of innovation reinforces our commitment to the notion that local government can be fiscally responsible while developing programs that help people and answer critical needs in our community,” Conroy said. County Board Member Sam Tornatore, President of the DuPage County Board of Health, and representatives from the Health Department accepted the award for the Crisis Recovery Center. County Board Member Greg Schwarze, Chairman of the County’s Human Services Committee, and Community Services Director Mary Keating accepted the award for the food insecurity program. Each year, the National Association of Counties recognizes outstanding programming in 18 categories, including health, human services, and civic engagement, according to the National Association of Counties.
On June 16, Conroy, Board Member Melissa Martinez, and countywide elected officials unveiled the Victims of Violence Memorial on the west side of the County campus. The memorial provides a quiet space for family and friends to remember loved ones affected by violence and will serve as a gathering place for future events. Family and friends can purchase commemorative bricks, benches, or trees in memory of victims.
In other initiatives, Stormwater Committee Chairman Jim Zay led a tour of the Armstrong Park flood control facility for stormwater interns on June 26. The facility, developed after decades of flooding in the Armstrong Park neighborhood, went into operation shortly after the tour, allowing interns to observe its impact on Carol Stream and the Klein Creek Watershed.
The County also hosted a ceremonial time capsule event on June 9 as part of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Local mayors, village presidents, and officials contributed items reflecting life in DuPage County in 2026. The capsule will be opened in 2051. The celebration includes a countywide photo contest, historical exhibits, and oral history initiatives. Information about these programs is available on the county website.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority are seeking community input through a Demand Responsive Study and Survey to improve flexible public transit options. Residents are encouraged to participate in the survey for a chance to win a gift card.
