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DuPage County to split Community Services, launch national search for housing director
Summary
DuPage County officials proposed splitting Community Services into two departments — Community Services and a new Housing & Community Development department — and began a national search for a director role with a projected starting salary of $185,000–$192,000 and a short double-fill cost of about $30,000.
DuPage County announced a reorganization of its Community Services department on Aug. 11, 2026, proposing a split that would create a standalone Housing and Community Development department and a separate Community Services department focused on direct client services.
Chief Administrative Officer Nick Kottmeyer and Human Resources Director Chris Clevenger told the county board the change is driven by the retirement of long‑time community‑services director Mary Keating, the growing complexity of federal grants, and the county’s housing initiatives. "We're not gonna find somebody who has that skill set," Kottmeyer said of replacing Keating and framed a national search as necessary to recruit experienced leadership.
Under the proposal, the county would add one full‑time headcount for a housing-and-community-development director with an expected starting salary between $185,000 and $192,000. Clevenger said the county expects an interim "double fill" period to ensure knowledge transfer from Keating, estimating the crossover cost could be about $30,000. "We estimate the max that that cost could be would be about $30,000 for that time period," Clevenger said.
Board members asked whether internal candidates would be considered, how WorkNet, family‑center and weatherization programs would be reassigned, and whether committee reporting lines would change. Staff said internal applicants would be encouraged but that the county plans targeted national recruitment and outreach to professional organizations; committee structures would largely remain the same.
The board gave consensus to begin the national search; Kottmeyer said a resolution to add headcount would be presented at the next regular meeting but that recruitment would begin immediately. The reorganization is intended to separate planning and community‑development functions (including HUD fund management and building and zoning) from direct client services such as LIHEAP and other grant‑funded assistance.
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