Awareness and education are critical to combating the opioid epidemic. This is why the HOPE Taskforce recently launched a new community town hall initiative to answer questions from DuPage residents, provide access to treatment information, and offer free overdose reversal training.

Thank you to the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, Benedictine University, and the DuPage County Health Department for hosting our inaugural town hall. Please be on the lookout for a future town hall in your community.

Our donation boxes are officially deployed! Join Greg Hart in donating canned goods, boxed food, and personal hygiene products benefitting the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Inc. You can drop your donations at our boxes from now through December 14 at the following locations:

➡️ Hinsdale: Kramer Foods; Fuller House Bar; Cafe La Fortuna Hinsdale

➡️ Downers Grove: Jewel-Osco (6215 Main Street); DGTRO (1001 Curtiss Street)

➡️ Clarendon Hills: Clarendon Hills Hardware

➡️ Burr Ridge: Capri Express

You can also drop off goods from 10am-12pm on December 14 at the The Community House in Hinsdale.

One year ago, I took the oath of office. Below are some achievements from my past year made possible through collaboration with colleagues and community members:

✅ Passed a #balanced budget and saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars through #consolidation

✅ Secured $1.2 million in opioid grant funding and formed new public-private partnerships with Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy to fight the opioid epidemic

✅ Permanently stopped #Sterigenics from emitting cancer-causing toxins into our air

✅ Reduced the number of prescription opioid overdoses, expanded availability of #Narcan and medication assisted treatment to address rising synthetic opioid deaths, and developed a successful diversionary treatment program for first-time offenders

✅ Prioritized #diversity and #inclusion in the DuPage County mission statement and strategic plan

✅ Founded RAMP-UP, an award-winning, WorkNet DuPage job training program focused on building advanced manufacturing skills

✅ Provided $1 million to local non-profits to expand #health, #housing, and other human services for vulnerable residents

✅ Approved an $8 million #IT infrastructure modernization plan to increase efficiency, transparency, and ease of use for residents

✅ Worked with the College of DuPage to open Innovation DuPage, the county’s first start-up incubator for local entrepreneurs

✅ Participated in over 25 #townhalls and public meetings to engage directly with constituents

All of this in a year’s work. I look forward to continuing to serve you, DuPage.

U.S. small businesses employ nearly 60 million people, including many right here in DuPage County. I celebrated Small Business Saturday by shopping at a few local establishments, including The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn where I met DuPage author Robert Goldsborough. Thank you also to Learning Express Toys of Clarendon Hills, 2Toots Train Whistle Grill, Fuller's Car Wash & Service Center in Hinsdale, and Scallywag Brewing in Westmont for the excellent service. Shop small everyone!

The holiday season is officially here. Great time attending the 2019 Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downers Grove.