Low-income residents in Downers Grove, Woodridge, Westmont, and across DuPage County will have access to more than $6.7 million in energy assistance, weatherization, and homelessness prevention funding after a county committee voted to advance the grants on Tuesday, June 16.
The DuPage County Human Services Committee approved four state and federal grants and sent them to the Finance Committee, which had the items on its June 23 agenda as the next step before a full County Board vote.
The largest piece: a $4,699,341 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) state grant for Program Year 2027, which begins Tuesday, July 1. Committee member Dawn DeSart moved to approve, seconded by Saba Haider.
The committee also authorized $3,947,445 in payments to energy assistance providers, a portion of that same LIHEAP grant allocated to contracted service delivery.
Two weatherization grants totaling $1,584,064 were approved: a $974,465 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant moved by Haider and seconded by Yeena Yoo, and a $609,599 state grant moved by DeSart and seconded by Yoo. The funds pay for insulation, furnace repairs, and other upgrades that reduce utility costs for qualifying households.
A $384,000 homelessness prevention grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services rounded out the package. Yoo moved to approve; DeSart seconded.
Acting Chair Paula Deacon Garcia presided in place of Chair Greg Schwarze. Members Galassi and LaPlante participated remotely by audio after video connections failed.
Federal funding uncertainty
The grants are state-administered and currently funded, but future rounds face uncertainty. At the committee's April 7 meeting, Community Services Director Mary Keating warned that President Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget request "zeros out all of the Community Services' programs," adding that the county would wait to see what Congress does.
The grants approved June 16 flow through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Department of Human Services, not directly from federal agencies, which insulates them for the coming program year.
How to apply
LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help cover energy bills or reconnect service. Applications are accepted at DuPage County Community Services, 421 N. County Farm Road, Third Floor, Wheaton, as well as at nonprofit organizations and local township offices. Residents can visit DuPageCounty.gov/liheap, schedule an appointment at tinyurl.com/LIHEAP-APPT, or call 211 to find the nearest application site.
