DuPage County Finance Committee approves $2.5M for Aurora food hub and $2.322M for countywide food programs

The DuPage County Finance Committee on March 24 approved a package of sustainability‑fund grants aimed at expanding regional food distribution and boosting local pantry capacity.

Vice Chair Cahill moved approval of FIR 55‑26, a $2.5 million award to Loaves & Fishes Community Services for expansion of the Aurora Food Distribution Hub. The motion was seconded by Member Heather and, after robust debate and a failed motion to postpone, carried on a roll‑call vote.

Why it mattered: committee members split over whether DuPage taxpayers should fund a project that, according to discussion, will serve residents beyond county lines. Member Echo raised concerns about the distribution of benefits and repeatedly noted that, per his figures, DuPage would receive about "36 cents on the dollar" relative to the county’s $2.5 million contribution. Mike Kavala, speaking for Loaves & Fishes, said delaying approval would slow construction (the organization was preparing to start in April) and emphasized that DuPage would “disproportionately benefit” relative to its contribution and that the expansion would add substantial annual food volume for DuPage residents.

Supporters, including Member Schwarzy and others, argued the immediate investment would quickly increase food access for tens of thousands of county residents and that waiting would imperil outside commitments and the planned construction schedule. Opponents and cautious members requested assurances that smaller, local pantries would not be left out and asked for clarity about whether neighboring counties (Kane and Will) would participate financially.

The committee then approved FIR 56‑26, a $2 million award to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Members asked staff for a list of participating DuPage pantries and for the delivery frequency and allocation method; staff said allocations would be based on each pantry’s capacity and that monthly reports would document pounds distributed by pantry.

The committee also approved FIR 57‑26, a $322,000 grant to the Conservation Foundation to support a farm‑pantry program that will increase fresh produce availability.

What happens next: staff and grantees will provide performance and allocation details to the committee, including lists of participating pantries and monthly distribution reports. Several members asked staff to pursue outreach to ensure local pantries and volunteers can access deliveries and shelf space.

Quotes that capture the debate:

"If postponing this for a couple more weeks, would that slow down the construction timeline?" asked a committee member; Mike Kavala replied, "Yes. If you add time to it, it does detract from the project. We are looking to start construction in April." (Mike Kavala, Loaves & Fishes)

Member Echo argued that the county should seek proportional contributions from neighboring counties, saying committee analysis showed "only 36% of this money is going to go to serve DuPage County." (Member Echo)

Member Schwarzy said approving the project now would benefit "tens of thousands" of DuPage residents and cautioned that delay would hold up distribution expansion and volunteer coordination.

Votes and transparency: the transcript records a roll call on the Loaves & Fishes motion and subsequent votes approving the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Conservation Foundation awards. Committee members requested and staff agreed to provide written lists of participating pantries, delivery schedules and monthly performance metrics tied to the grants.

Funding totals approved at the March 24 meeting: $2,500,000 (Loaves & Fishes), $2,000,000 (Northern Illinois Food Bank), $322,000 (Conservation Foundation farm‑pantry program).