DuPage County's Coroner's Office will add a full-time deputy position to address high staff turnover, after the county's Judicial and Public Safety Committee approved the hire on Tuesday, June 16.

The committee also renewed a $43,472 grant-funded contract with Diana Hightower to coordinate the Family Violence Coordinating Council, which provides domestic violence training to law enforcement agencies countywide, including the Elmhurst Police Department.

Both items now head to the full County Board. They appeared on the Board's Tuesday, June 23 agenda, though meeting minutes confirming final passage have not yet been posted.

Coroner's Office staffing

Committee Chair Lucy Evans (District 3) presided as members held a lengthy discussion about the reasons for the new position. Committee members Brian Krajewski and Yeena Yoo moved and seconded the headcount resolution (FI-R-0088-26). According to the committee minutes, the discussion focused on high turnover rather than rising caseloads. Data provided by the Coroner's Office showed no significant increase in cases.

The committee directed that Coroner Lukas or a representative attend future meetings in person. An $8,500 budget transfer was also approved, shifting funds from medical supply and training line items to cover salary, benefits, and potential overtime for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Family violence contract

The FVCC coordinator contract covers July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Committee members Michael Childress and Saba Haider moved and seconded the approval. The contract is entirely grant-funded and administered through the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, chaired by Judge Ann Celine Walsh.

The council trains law enforcement and criminal justice personnel on intimate partner abuse, child abuse, teen dating violence, and elder abuse. It has distributed a family violence training video to all DuPage County police departments.

The next full County Board meeting is Tuesday, July 14, 2026.