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Dan Cronin

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

DuPage's FEMA Flood Disaster Center Opened in Lisle; Assistance Available

DuPage County residents affected by the mid-April flooding can apply for assistance via the Internet, phone or by going to the Lisle Police Department in person.

The following is a press release from DuPage County: DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin urges residents affected by the recent flood to apply for federal assistance to help alleviate expenses incurred in the recovery process from the April storms. “More than 9,000 DuPage County homes and businesses received extensive damage to their properties from the  April flood. In an effort to help relieve some of the financial burden, the federal government is providing grants and low-interest loans to help cover some of the uninsured costs endured by families. I urge residents to apply for these grants and loans as they continue to work with their insurance companies during this recovery process,” said Cronin.  Throughout the past month, DuPage…

Claire Goldenberg

2:17 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I filled out the form on line yesterday morning and received a call from a FEMA representative the following morning. He came out that same dday and assessed my situation. DONT'T Delay in filling out your form on line!!! great job FEMA!   more ›

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Watchdog Group: Motives in DuPage Board Chair Cronin’s Hirings?

In a report titled “Cronin’s Cronies,” the Better Government Association suggests that the Republican chairman may be cozying up to establishment Democrats.

Four companies with ties to important Illinois state legislators, companies that have previously done little work in DuPage County, have received over $300,000 in county work since Republican Dan Cronin became DuPage County Board chairman, the watchdog group Better Government Association (BGA) is reporting.  In an article entitled “Cronin’s Cronies,” the BGA speculates that Cronin’s administration could be selectively contracting in order to curry favor with Democrats for his legislative agenda and his political future.  Three of the four mentioned ties are with Democrats—a financial services company who employs House Speaker Michael Madigan’s son, and two law firms at which Senate President John Cullerton and state senator Don Harmon are …

George P

11:13 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013

HB 1522 passed the Senate and not one senator representing DuPage voted yes. The bill passed because legislators who do not represent DuPage voted for it. Think about that. Oberweis filed the amemdment to require a referendum for DuPage, but the amendment was "tabled" (why?) and the vote called. NO - Sen Oberweis - JimO@ilga.gov DID NOT VOTE - Sen Dillard - senator@kdillard.com NO - Sen Connelly…   more ›

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

DuPage County Board Approves 2013 Budget

DuPage County Board approves budget for fiscal year 2013 that is $7.3 million less than the previous year. The budget includes cutting seven staff positions and $16.9 million in appropriations for campus and county-wide improvements.

The DuPage County Board Tuesday approved a Fiscal Year 2013 budget that is $7.3 million less than the previous year, according to a press release from DuPage County. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said in a statement the $432.6 million budget represents his commitment to reduce the financial burden of government on taxpayers. Since taking office, Cronin has reduced the County’s budget by more than $13 million, according to the release.  “It is important that we demonstrate to taxpayers that government can make the sacrifices necessary to meet the bottom line. The Fiscal Year 2013 budget is a testament to that pledge," Cronin said. Finance Chairman Paul Fichtner said this is the fifth consecutive year that the County has not raised…

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

DuPage Election Commission Questions Need for PR Firm

The commission's director will provide a memo regarding the need to employ a public relations firm Aug. 2.

New members of the DuPage County Board of Election Commission last week questioned the need to employ Reverse Spin, a public relations firm their predecessors hired, the Daily Herald reported Sunday. Reverse Spin Principal Dan Curry said the firm is working on a "month-to-month" basis under the terms of its former contract. The company receives $3,000 a month from the commission, according to the Herald. "The commission let a lot of contracts expire because they knew certain board members were going to be replaced," Curry said. Commission staff is now proposing a $36,000 professional services contract for Reverse Spin. Following reports earlier this year of poor ethics and procurement practices at the agency, Dupage County Board Chairman …

Marcus

8:31 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

While under contract with the DuPage's Election Board, Reverse Spin was working with Rick Reed -- the guy who boasts of being behind the swift boat attacks against John Kerry. Go to Rick Reed Media's website and watch the video which pops up. There's an endorsement from Reverse Spin. Our tax dollars were paying Reverse Spin to represent all DuPage Citizens while the firm was being paid by Reed's …   more ›

Thursday, June 28, 2012

County Referendum on Dual Elected Duty will be on November Ballot

Referendum is advisory; DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin says County Board duties require "undivided focus."

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by DuPage County officials. DuPage County voters will be asked this November whether one elected official should be permitted to hold more than one elected office at the same time. The DuPage County Board Tuesday approved an advisory referendum question that will appear on the November general election ballot asking voters: “Should Illinois law permit an individual to hold two or more public elected offices simultaneously?” DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin sought the referendum question in order to gauge the public’s sentiment on the issue. Two sitting DuPage mayors are running for election to the DuPage County Board this fall, Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni and Burr Ridge Mayor …

Thursday, May 10, 2012

DuPage Releases Stress Tests on E-911 Board, Airport Authority, Fire Protection Districts

More inefficiencies found in this final round, next steps include plan of action for reform, consolidation.

Editors note: This information was provided by the public relations arm of the DuPage County Board. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin released the final round of “stress tests” of county departments Wednesday, May 9. Under the microscope in this latest search for waste and inefficiency were the DuPage Emergency Telephone System Board, DuPage Airport Authority and the fire districts of Fairview, Glenbard, Lisle-Woodridge, Naperville, North Westmont, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago and Yorkfield. Analysis already has been performed on DuPage Housing Authority, Sheriff’s Merit Commission, the Election Commission, Water Commission and the sanitary districts of Downers Grove, Highland Hills, Salt Creek and Wheaton. The stress test was …

Jim Court

10:02 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

I am not so sure that it is incorrect to embrace Ms. Preckwinkle.She appears to be doing an outstanding job of improving what the County Board does. Do we need to have this constant division of political parties? Does it really serve the best interests of our state? Do you have to be anti-union to be a good Republican? Mr. Cronin seems to be cleaning up DuPage County and I am sure that this will …   more ›

Monday, April 30, 2012

DuPage Election Commission Chairman Rick Carney Steps Down

Carney resigned at the request of County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, following a report that concluded the commission practiced poor ethics and procurement procedures.

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin today accepted the resignation of DuPage Election Commission Chairman J.P. “Rick” Carney. Carney proffered his resignation over the weekend, according to a press release from DuPage County. Cronin and a majority of the County Board members requested Carney step down after a report concluded the commission had poor procurement and ethics practices, according to the release. “I appreciate Rick stepping aside to allow us to start anew with fresh leadership at the Election Commission,” Cronin said in a statement. “We appreciate his service and wish him well in the future.” Carney has served as chairman of the commission since 2006 and his term ends in January 2013. Through state statute, Cronin appoints …

Thursday, March 1, 2012

DuPage Report Recommends Improvements in Accountability, Transparency for County Agencies

New efficiencies in DuPage government could be the model for other counties and, perhaps, the state, Cronin said.

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin last week unveiled Phase 1 of a report citing recommendations to improve county agencies that account for nearly $300 million in public funds.   “The report represents the very first time our residents will have a full accounting of these entities that collect and spend a significant amount of tax dollars," Cronin said. "This is a landmark report in many ways. Not only do we have access to budget and operational information for the first time, but we will also have a set of recommendations on how to improve the system."   The analysis of 24 county taxing bodies was initiated by Cronin last year following the financial crises at the Water Commission and DuPage Housing Authority. Cronin authored state …

Jane

7:27 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012

While I don't necessarily disagree with these initial findings, I find the choice of awarding this independant audit contract to Crowe Horwath less than independant. Who is Crowe Horwath to evaluate "trasparency and accountiblity" when they sit on the Board of Directors of the least transparent publically-funded organization in DuPage County - none other than "Choose DuPage". Who is going to …   more ›

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