Kane County clerk outlines use of CTCL grant, says $400,000 spent on equipment as office evaluates remaining funds

Public commentators and committee members asked Kane County Clerk Ryan Pollock how the county is using a $2,000,000 grant from the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), and Pollock described partial allocations and an ongoing evaluation of remaining needs.

The inquiry began during public comment when Brian Anderson asked, “Where is it? What's going on? I think he has until June or July of this year,” and David Young told the committee that the clerk’s office received $650,000 in July 2023 and $1,350,000 in December 2023. Young said the grant contract limits spending to three categories: “key physical components like election equipment, technological components like software, and human components like election judges.”

Pollock, appearing remotely, confirmed the county received the CTCL award in 2023 and said roughly $400,000 of the grant “was used to purchase some equipment.” He added that interest earned on the grant balance has flowed back to the general fund (he estimated at least about $80,000) and that the clerk’s office generated roughly $250,000 more to the general fund than budgeted last year. Pollock said the remainder of the grant is still being evaluated against the county’s equipment, supply and staffing needs and that all spending will follow the grant terms and be reported to CTCL; he cited an extended spending deadline in mid‑2025 and a reporting date of August 30, 2025.

Committee members asked operational questions about the county’s new voting system, early voting schedules and staffing. Pollock described how the county’s “vote anywhere” equipment changes the way results appear on election night — returns can seem to arrive all at once because ballots cast outside a voter’s home precinct are reported differently than on the older, precinct‑based system. He also said the equipment purchased was “the bare minimum for an average election,” that shortages remain for some precincts and that the office is engaging supervisory judges to identify where more equipment or supplies are needed.

The clerk outlined the immediate election calendar: a limited February 25 primary restricted to Aurora and Aurora Township, and a county‑wide consolidated election on April 1. Early voting for the April 1 election will begin March 7, with expanded early voting starting March 17. Pollock said the office is still calculating final costs for the February primary and expected to have more payment information once judges are paid.

Several public commenters urged returning the CTCL funds or cutting ties with CTCL, and one referenced national criticism of the organization; committee discussion focused on transparency and ensuring grant spending complies with the contract. Pollock repeatedly emphasized that the grant must be spent according to the contract categories and said the office will continue to report back to the committee as spending decisions are finalized.

The committee did not take formal action on the grant during the meeting; Pollock said the office will continue evaluating needs through April and report updates to the committee.

Less urgent operational items discussed at the same time included a surge in passport applications at county offices and higher volumes of marriage license applications in January compared with recent years; Pollock noted staff from election operations have been assisting the passport counters to handle the increased traffic.