DuPage County residents will be able to pick up a free gun safe at a Safety Saturday event on Saturday, Oct. 3, after the County Board approved $25,000 to fund the pilot program at its Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting.

Board members also voted to award $30,000 in ARPA interest funds to Repeat Boutique Center, a Carol Stream nonprofit, for an infrastructure expansion.

Board Chair Deborah A. Conroy presided over the meeting, where both items passed through the Finance Committee and full Board the same evening.

Gun-safe pilot program

The $25,000 comes from the county's contingency fund and transfers to the Health Department General Fund, making the Health Department the agency responsible for purchasing and distributing the safes.

The idea first surfaced at the Finance Committee's April 14 meeting, when members explored a biometric gun-safe giveaway. Chief Administrative Officer Nick Kottmeyer said at that meeting he would research the legalities and costs. Four months later, the program reached a vote.

Board member Michael Childress moved the budget transfer at the Finance Committee, seconded by member Cynthia Cronin Cahill. According to committee minutes, members called the effort a great first step in helping prevent gun violence and said the program may expand depending on the Oct. 3 event's success.

The county has not yet announced the event's location, the number of safes available or how residents can sign up. The Health Department is expected to release those details.

Repeat Boutique funding

The $30,000 ARPA interest grant goes to Repeat Boutique Center, an all-volunteer nonprofit at 191 South Gary Ave., Suite 140, in Carol Stream that has given away free clothing and housewares to people in need since 1973. The specific upgrades the money will fund were not detailed in the Board agenda.

Member Cynthia Cronin Cahill moved the resolution, seconded by member Jim Zay. Community member Lynn Dugan spoke in support of Repeat Boutique during public comment at the Board's Aug. 11 meeting.

The Board also discussed three additional nonprofit funding requests without voting: $50,000 for the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, $20,000 for Doodlebug Workshop Vocational Training Center and $18,000 for Poised for Success.

Residents with questions about the gun-safe event can contact the DuPage County Health Department. Those interested in Repeat Boutique Center can call (630) 462-7341.