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Finance committee approves $48,000 contract for court navigator supplied by DuPage County Health Department
Summary
The committee approved a contract to fund a court navigator (social‑work role) placed with the 18th Judicial Circuit; staff detailed proposed coverage hours and that the position is a contract rather than county headcount.
The DuPage County Finance Committee on Jan. 28 approved a purchase order to the DuPage County Health Department for a court navigator to serve participants in the 18th Judicial Circuit.
Member Evans moved approval of a contract, identified in committee documents as JPSP‑11‑25, to the DuPage County Health Department for the period Feb. 1, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2025, for a contract total not to exceed $48,000. Committee members voted to approve the contract with no recorded opposition.
Suzanne Armstrong, staff member, answered members’ questions about the new, part‑time contract position and said the navigator — described as a social‑work role — will initially cover all day Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, with duties evolving as courts identify needs. Armstrong said the navigator will be reachable via a dedicated phone and email; judges and clerks can refer courtroom participants as needed. Armstrong said one early example of a court referral involved a juvenile court appearance in which court personnel called for immediate assistance to assess a person who appeared suicidal.
Armstrong identified Amy Coleman as the health‑department supervisor assigned to the program; she described Coleman as a licensed clinical social worker with prior experience in probation and jail services. Armstrong confirmed the county’s payment will be to the health department under a contract, not an added county headcount.
Several members thanked Chief Judge Bonnie Wheaton (not in the room) and DuPage Health Department leadership for the interagency collaboration that made the position possible. Member Desartes noted a meet‑and‑greet for the new navigator on Thursday, Jan. 30, and encouraged members with questions to attend.
The committee’s approval directs staff to finalize the purchase order and contract language for the health department to begin work under the approved term.
