DuPage board approves payment to vendor to restore election systems amid complaints about clerk's office
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Summary
DuPage County Finance Committee approved a $190,815 budget transfer to pay a HEART/Hart InterCivic invoice so voting systems would be reactivated; some members accused the clerk's office of procurement failures and urged legal review, but the board said paying the bill was necessary to protect November elections.
DuPage County's Finance Committee voted April 14 to transfer $190,815 from statutory and fiscal charges to a software account to pay a HEART/Hart InterCivic invoice and restore election-related services.
The motion to approve budget transfer 26-118 was moved by Member Schorzey and seconded by Member Covert and carried on a voice vote. The transfer was presented as necessary to settle an overdue invoice the county believes is past the prompt payment period and to bring voting systems back online.
Member Zane raised sharp concerns, saying the county's election equipment had been “turned off” and questioned whether the clerk's office followed procurement rules. "There’s no documentation, no sole source, no anything," Zane said, and added the matter may require an external probe: "If this is a violation of federal law, then we should open an investigation with the U.S. Attorney's Office."
Other members, including Member Ozog and Member Desartes, said the bill must be paid to ensure elections proceed smoothly. "This is our elections, and we need to pass this today," Ozog said. Member Yu asked staff whether the transfer would leave sufficient balances to cover judge pay and later elections; county staff said the transfer covers the current outstanding invoice but cautioned there could be additional invoices that may or may not require future budget transfers.
County staff explained the invoice relates to off-site recording/storage and that payments are being reallocated because the county switched recording-platform vendors. Jeff (county staff) said the transfer will meet "what we know is in front of us," while noting some invoices originated before the current staff's involvement.
The committee voted to approve the transfer and moved on to other business. Several members said they expect additional follow-up from the state’s attorney and urged staff to keep the board informed about procurement and potential legal implications.
Actions and next steps: the board approved the budget transfer to pay the HEART/Hart InterCivic invoice; staff committed to monitoring fiscal accounts for further needs and to provide updates to the board and the state's attorney as available. The item will remain under board oversight if additional invoices or procurement questions arise.
