The Lake County Technology Committee on Aug. 1 approved a $52,457.85 contract with PACE Systems Inc., of Naperville, to install access control, security cameras and an intrusion alarm system at a county-leased warehouse in Waukegan that will house county clerk materials. The contract was presented as part of the committee's regular agenda and passed on a voice vote.

Director of Facilities and Construction Services Carl Carr told the committee the work supports the county clerk's move to the new warehouse and that the cost will be fully funded by the county clerk. "This work is in support of the county clerk's move to a new warehouse in Waukegan," Carr said. "It's, installs access control, security cameras, and intrusion alarm system to properly secure the facility as we move forward."

Carr said the county is using a current vendor already providing access control and security at another county facility and that some existing equipment will be transported and expanded for the new site. "This actually is a current provider of the access control and security systems that they have at 415 Washington. So we're using that same contractor. They're gonna essentially transport some of the gear and add additional gear to the warehouse to make sure it's secure," he said.

Committee members asked how access to video and card controls will be handled. Carr and County Clerk Clifford Vega described a shared, designated-user model. "It's really authorized users. So there are a few folks in facilities that will have access to those videos who have access to that system, as well as some authorized users from the county clerk," Carr said. Vega added that the county's system ties some door locks to staff government email with two-factor authentication and that the clerk's office and warehouse coordinator would receive immediate alerts for intrusions. "If there is an intrusion, we get immediate alerts," Vega said. "We have a warehouse coordinator. We have our director of elections. And myself, we would get immediate alerts along with our other partners."

Committee members pressed on whether video and access logs are tied to the county IT network and receive county cyber protections; Carr confirmed the installation will be integrated with the county network and monitored by the county's facilities group in coordination with IT and the deployed departments. "It's tied to our network, which is why we're here today because it is a system that is tied into the information technology network," Carr said.

The committee approved the joint resolution authorizing execution of the contract after a motion by Member Campos and a second by Member Casben; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The contract is for equipment and professional services to secure the leased warehouse at 33740 to 3742 Hawthorne Court, Waukegan, and the county clerk will fund the work. No further amendments or additional funding requests were recorded at the meeting. The committee recorded no dissent when voting on the item.