Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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…
Senate Bill 494 would allow DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin to make additional cuts to county operations.
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Wednesday, May 15
The Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday passed legislation that will allow DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin authority to reduce the size of local government. “For the first time, county leaders will have the ability to redesign how public services are delivered to our citizens and to eliminate the red tape that prevents consolidation and shared services among government entities,” Cronin said in a statement. “It will allow DuPage County to act as a laboratory to thoughtfully evaluate opportunities for consolidation of specific county-appointed agencies when it has been determined cost savings can be achieved.” Sponsored by Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) and Representative Deb Conroy (D-Elmhurst), Senate Bill 494 provides …
As part of our new Smart Spending series, Patch wants to uncover the true going rate for various goods and services in town, so you'll know exactly how much you should pay for what you need. Help us out by replying in the comments.
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Wednesday, May 15
This week: How much do lawn services cost? How much do you pay for your lawn service? And what does that cover - just mowing, or does it cover weeding, pruning, planting? Please share in the comments below - we promise we won't judge you! And if you've got a lawn service you love, tell us that too. Here's a sampling of a few DuPage County lawn-care services: This is the first of an ongoing series, "What's the Going Rate for..." where Patch seeks to uncover how much things cost so you never have to ask again. - - - - - - - - - - There are plenty of ways to keep up with the news:
Monday, May 13, 2013
Homeowners who sustained flood damage may now apply for FEMA assistance.
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Monday, May 13
President Barack Obama on Friday issued a Disaster Declaration for DuPage County, along with several other counties in Illinois. Residents affected by the recent flooding may now apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Key federal disaster aid programs can be made available as needed and warranted under the disaster declaration issued for Illinois. Assistance for affected individuals and families can include: Those in the county designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster …
Monday, April 29, 2013
The County saw five deaths from West Nile disease, and 56 cases, in 2012; the DMATF is looking at ways to better work with its 45 agencies to fight the biting bugs.
The DuPage Mosquito Abatement Task Force is exploring ways to better communicate its message to the citizens of DuPage County, as well as better cooperate between its 45 member government entities, after the County saw 56 cases of West Nile Disease and five deaths in 2012, the Naperville Sun reports. According to the paper, the task force wants to improve its anti-mosquito public health campaign, “Flight the Bite,” by better coordinating its entities’ surveillance and education efforts to crack down on the Culex mosquitoes that carry West Nile, malaria and encephalitis; they are also exploring options for consolidating some of those 45 currently separate mosquito-abatement programs. “Citizens need to be aware of the threat,” the paper …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The measure looks likely to pass; if so, online purchases will be automatically taxed at the same level as they would be in your hometown's brick-and-mortar store.
A bill with significant local impact across the United States is on track to be passed by the U.S. Senate by the end of this week. The Marketplace Fairness Act would mandate that online retailers with more than $1 million in remote (out-of-their-state) sales must handle and charge sales tax on those sales. Currently, online retailers are only responsible for collecting sales taxes in states where they have an established "physical presence." But the Senate voted 70-24 on Tuesday to advance the bill and close the loophole that puts the technical onus for paying sales taxes on out-of-state online purchases onto customers, who virtually never actually pay them. What's the local effect? Well, simply, many local businesses feel that essentially…
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
HCS Family Services in Hinsdale will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday after it experienced a distribution increase earlier this week.
The food pantry at HCS Family Services in Hinsdale will be open an extra day this week and stay open longer hours to address an increased need after last week's extensive flooding in DuPage County. The HCS pantry will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, according to a release from the family services organization located in Hinsdale's Memorial Hall, 20 E. Maple St. Typically, the pantry is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only until 12:30 p.m. "The pantry itself was not affected by the flooding, but is being inundated this week with requests for food," the release reads. "In fact, Monday of this week, the food pantry experienced a 45 percent increase in distribution, staying open an extra two hours to meet …
DuPage County provides information on residents' rights in recognition of Fair Housing Month.
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Wednesday, April 24
From DuPage County: In recognition of Fair Housing Month, DuPage County residents are encouraged to learn more about their rights through the Fair Housing Act that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing. Chairman Dan Cronin said this year marks the 45th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act that guarantees the right of all Americans equal housing opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap. “All of us have the right to equal treatment when looking for housing. Too often discrimination on the basis of race, creed, disability or sexual orientation is a reality for many people today. DuPage County is committed to working with our community partners to combat …
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Rescues, disasters, bravery, irony—from a mass evacuation to the finding of a floating body to a governor's visit, the stories of a storm from DuPage County.
Much of DuPage County was underwater by Thursday afternoon due to a rainstorm that dropped more than half a foot of water on some areas. Patch has been tracking some of the biggest and most interesting stories from the storm: Body Found Floating at Graue Mill The historic Graue Mill on the border of Hinsdale and Oak Brook was utterly swamped when Salt Creek rose in the heaviest rain anywhere, but the floodwaters brought something even darker: a dead human body. DuPage officials are currently trying to identify it and as of Friday afternoon, no more information is available. Lisle Neighborhoods, Nursing Home Evacuated Some of the worst flooding in all of DuPage happened in Lisle, where the Four Lakes community along the DuPage River—and …
Monday, April 15, 2013
A tragedy far from Chicago hits home as DuPage residents check for family members' safety and express their horror; one Naperville resident tells of being in the Boston lockdown.
Here are some of our top DuPage County stories about the Boston Marathon explosions: West-Suburban Readers React to Boston Marathon Explosions—Our readers expressed sorrow, revulsion, relief for their loved ones, and some anger after Monday's apparent bombing in Boston; here's some of what they had to say. Naperville Witness: Boston 'Eerie' in Aftermath of Marathon Explosions—Naperville resident Isabella Von Der Linden and her sister remained in lockdown at a hotel Monday night just blocks away from where two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon earlier. Wheaton Native's Joy of Personal Best at Boston Marathon Turns to Horror, Worry—After posting her personal best at the Boston Marathon, Wheaton native Colleen Huml heard news of …
Claire Goldenberg
2:17 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
I filled out the form on line yesterday morning and received a call from a FEMA representative the following morning. He came out that same dday and assessed my situation. DONT'T Delay in filling out your form on line!!! great job FEMA! more ›