DuPage County Board approves sustainability fund and $2.5 million for Loaves & Fishes amid some dissent

The DuPage County Board on April 14 approved additional appropriations for the DuPage Sustainability Initiative Fund and a $2.5 million allocation for the Loaves and Fishes program after roll‑call votes.

Member Garcia moved the funding measures and described the items as additional appropriations to support conservation, the county’s partners and local food‑pantry operations. The motions covered two separate appropriations: an initial appropriation for conservation and Northern Illinois Food Pantry funding and a later $2.5 million appropriation identified for Loaves and Fishes.

The board took roll calls on the motions. Several members voted Aye; Member LaPlante recorded a No vote on at least one of the appropriations and Member Eckhoff recorded No on a roll call associated with the packet. The motions were approved by the majority present.

Members discussed the rationale for the funds and noted the finance committee had bifurcated the item for consideration in full board. Member Garcia reiterated the county’s intent to support sustainability‑oriented partnerships and to provide resources for local food‑pantry services.

The board approved other finance items during the same session, including acceptance and appropriation of the Community Development Block Grant ($3,703,858), Home Investment Partnerships funding ($1,722,324), and an Emergency Solutions Grant ($286,929) for community services; those items were presented and voted by roll call.

Chair Deborah A. Conroy said the appropriations were intended to back local nonprofit operations and county program objectives. The board directed staff to proceed with the approved appropriations and to publish the formal vote records in meeting minutes.