Candidates who care

Last spring, DuPage County divided CARES Act money among its nine townships, allowing each of them to apply for reimbursement of up to $225,000 for expenses incurred due to COVID-19. This included PPE, food, clothing, housing, rent or utility assistance and personal care items for the needy.

I became aware of this at the end of January and sent a Freedom of Information Act request to Winfield Township to discover what the rules were for relief funds and started contacting nonprofits. At the township meeting, I was told that the county was "picky" about what they allowed (yet four townships used their full allotment). They said that it was a shame that I hadn't approached them earlier (though residents received no communication about the funds).

I sent a FOIA to the county on March 1, when the offer expired. Addison, Wayne, Bloomingdale and York Townships used their full allotment of funds. In fact, Addison Township used the full allotment as well as raising thousands more for the communities they serve. Downers Grove, Naperville, Milton and Lisle Townships did not use all of their allotments, but the township that left the most, $206,000.00 on the table unused was Winfield.

Imagine my surprise since the township newsletter just came out with a photo showing trustees giving diapers to food banks. I did see a Jewel receipt in the FOIA'd receipts for $1,533.09 worth of diapers, wipes and personal hygiene items, but to leave $206,000 unused that could have helped the needy in the township during this time of crisis is unconscionable. I hope that voters aren't duped by a photo op and vote April 6 for trustees who truly have their best interests at heart. It's time to get to know candidates Judi Lukas, Maury Goodman, Shawn Hacker and Don Voelz.

Cynthia Paulsen

Winfield