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DuPage County committee backs moving forward on $16–17 million East Building renovation at DuPage Care Center
Summary
The Human Services Committee voiced consensus to advance a design contract so staff can firm up an estimated $16–17 million renovation of the DuPage Care CenterEast Building; funding would come primarily from the care center reserve and construction would follow current phase work, with a guaranteed maximum price to be presented later.
The DuPage County Human Services Committee signaled support to move forward with design work for a planned $16 million to $17 million renovation of the DuPage Care CenterEast Building, with most construction funding coming from the care centerreserve.
The committeeheard an update from Janelle Chadwick, who presented progress on the current phase of renovations and described the East Building work as the next major step. Chadwick said, "3 North is all done. We just moved all the residents within the last 10 days," and described completed upgrades including lighting, wayfinding and a dementia-designated special care unit.
Committee members and staff said they recommend contracting White and Company to complete 75% of architectural design now so staff can produce a firm construction estimate and a guaranteed maximum price with the remaining 25% of design to follow. Tim (staff) told the committee that 75% design is needed "to come up with very firm construction dollars" and that, if the board approves the contract in May, the project would proceed to the final design and construction bidding later this year.
The project team estimated the East Building construction cost at about $16,169,000 (described in discussion as roughly $16to17 million) and said construction would likely start in February 2026 if approved. Nick (facilities staff) explained the county would fund the work from the DuPage Care Center fund balance rather than the county general fund: "Itis going to be funded entirely out of the care center reserve."
Committee members raised the size of the expenditure and the county's reserve policy. Staff reported care center reserves of about $31,000,000 as of a November accounting snapshot and said that, even after the East Building work, reserves would remain well above a commonly cited 25% to 50% operating-budget guideline. Staff also emphasized that federal reimbursement and broader fiscal conditions are still uncertain and that the county can halt the project through roughly February 2026 if conditions change.
Committee members said the current construction teamalready engaged on phase 1, IDPH permitting experience, and the care center's operating record support moving ahead. Vice Chair Garcia and other members confirmed they had reviewed the plan with staff and expressed support. The committee provided a show of consensus for staff to present the contract to the county board and for the 75% design contract to proceed.
If the county board and later approvals proceed, staff said they would return with the final construction price and a guaranteed maximum price before construction contracts are executed. Chadwick and staff noted the project intends to preserve clinical operations and transition from the phase 1 work without a gap.
The committee discussion also reviewed improvements already completed under the current phase, including renovated resident rooms, a dementia unit configured with safety features and new windows, upgraded nurses' stations, and improved public signage.
The committee did not take a recorded roll-call vote on the design contract at the meeting; rather, members indicated consensus to forward the recommended contract to the county board for approval.
The committee will present its recommendation to the county board and to the Finance Committee as planned.
