Committee extends election warehouse lease, agrees to begin Heritage Gallery clearing and outreach

The DuPage County Public Works Committee on March 18 approved a sixth amendment to the county’s lease for an election equipment warehouse and gave staff consensus to begin clearing and cataloging the Heritage Gallery artifacts, with plans to work with the DuPage County Historical Museum and other local museums.

The committee approved the lease amendment (FMP 14 25) extending occupancy of the election warehouse for a 48‑month period from Aug. 1, 2025, through July 1, 2029, with a total lease cost not to exceed $1,717,934.81. Facilities staff said the lease will provide needed space while the county evaluates off‑campus options and while the transportation (DOT) building work continues; staff estimated the DOT building move could take two to three years.

Why it matters: the lease secures storage for county election equipment (the Election Warehouse is 28,414 square feet, as stated in the meeting) while the county plans longer‑term space solutions. The committee also addressed the Heritage Gallery — a private donation‑origin exhibit now owned by DuPage County — and agreed to a phased plan to clear and rehouse artifacts properly.

What the committee approved and directed - Lease amendment (FMP 14 25): committee approved the sixth amendment to the lease between the County of DuPage and TGA Part 88 for election equipment storage, 08/01/2025–07/01/2029, contract not to exceed $1,717,934.81. Committee discussion identified the Election Warehouse at 28,414 sq. ft. and the county’s 140 Building at 58,000 sq. ft. as part of facility planning. The general fund will pay the lease costs, staff said. - Heritage Gallery: committee members agreed (consensus) to have Facilities Management begin clearing the Heritage Gallery area as “filler work,” coordinate with the DuPage County Historical Museum (museum staffer Michelle referenced), paint and box artifacts, and contact other county museums to offer artifacts and display cases where appropriate. Staff said they will work with the state’s attorney to confirm ownership and legal steps before transfers.

Key clarifications recorded in the meeting - Ownership and disposition: staff said items placed in the Heritage Gallery were donated and are now owned by DuPage County; the county will trace provenance and, in consultation with the state’s attorney, determine whether items may be returned to families or transferred to other museums. - Funding and timeline: committee members referenced a prior budget allocation of $150,000 for the project, with $50,000 used for engagement with consultant Taylor; staff said they expect the clearing and cataloging to be a slow, phased process tied to museum capacity and staff availability.

Committee comments: Vice Chair Zay noted the Aurora facility had been toured and said the lease provides time for the DOT building to be completed and vacated. A committee member suggested contacting the county’s 12 local museums (Wheaton College exhibits were cited as an example) to seek interest in artifacts and display cases. Another member asked for assurances that artifacts would be handled per professional conservation standards.

What’s next: Facilities Management will begin preparatory work to clear and document the Heritage Gallery, contact local museums and the state’s attorney’s office about ownership and transfer options, and proceed with the leased election warehouse under the amended lease terms.