The Lake County Financial and Administrative Committee on July 31 approved a resolution authorizing a lease with Hawthorne Owner LLP of Dallas, Texas, for office and storage space at 3740–3742 Hawthorne Court in Waukegan to house election equipment.

The board voted to approve the lease after a presentation by county purchasing and election staff describing space, security and logistic improvements. “We would go from about 12,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet,” Election Division representative Clark Anthony Vega said, adding the new space offers two indoor loading docks and one‑floor access that staff said reduces risk during equipment moves.

Why it matters: County election equipment must be stored securely and be physically moved for election events. Staff told the committee the new location offers controlled access and would reduce the operational risk the county experienced at its current site.

Key details and committee discussion
Purchasing manager Yvette Aberon and election staff said the lease’s first-year annual cost is estimated at $168,132.51 and that the site allows vertical storage expansion and consolidated inventory previously split across multiple off‑site locations. Vega said procurement and enterprise IT vetted the site and that a tech committee presentation would describe required infrastructure and camera installations.

Committee members asked about loading logistics and worker safety; election staff said the new facility has two indoor loading docks and is on a single floor, avoiding elevator issues experienced during the November 2024 election when equipment had to be moved up and down stairs.

Action taken
Motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded; the committee approved the lease by voice vote.

What comes next
Facilities staff said the county will use the new leased space while evaluating a longer‑term plan, including potential construction of a county-owned facility at the Libertyville campus.