DuPage County Board Meeting, (Special Call) Tuesday, 9/1/2026

The DuPage County Board held a special call meeting on September 1, 2026, primarily to address funding concerns related to the upcoming November general election. The board discussed an additional appropriation of $665,000 for the County Clerk's election division to cover critical postage and printing costs for vote-by-mail operations. Members expressed significant frustration over the County Clerk's office's lack of transparency and budgeting practices, noting that nearly all postage funds were spent during the primary election, leaving insufficient funds for the general election. The board debated the risk that the appropriated funds might be reallocated within the Clerk's office budget, as the Clerk and Deputy Clerk could shift money within the commodities line without board approval, raising concerns about fiduciary responsibility and election integrity. Despite these concerns, the board approved the additional appropriations for printing ($225,000) and postage ($440,000) separately, emphasizing the need for a well-run election while acknowledging ongoing oversight challenges. Legal counsel confirmed that statutory mandates require certain election services, and failure to comply could lead to legal action. The meeting concluded with discussions on fiscal year budgeting and payment timing for election-related expenses.