Title
Resolution accepting the Illinois State Board of Elections Polling Place
Accessibility Grant and authorizing an emergency appropriation in the amount of $92,850 for the specific purpose of addressing areas of inaccessibility in Illinois’ polling places.
Staff Summary
• The purpose of this grant is to make improvements to Illinois polling places for voters with disabilities, pursuant to Section 101 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, (“HAVA”) (52 USC 20901) (CFDA 90.404). Funding is prioritized to correct barriers to accessing polling places.
• The County Clerk’s Office proposed improvements to the polling site located at the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department for the purposes of addressing areas of inaccessibility, working toward the goal that all Lake County voters can exercise their right to vote privately and independently.
• The Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department will utilize these funds to remove and replace the parking lot into a smooth and flat surface.
• The parking lot is approximately 1,420 square feet and currently sits on a cracked and uneven surface, creating a hazardous situation for people with disabilities and those with limited mobility.
• The project will also stripe the parking lot which will allow voters with disabilities to have ADA compliant spots with access aisles that are van accessible, creating a safer environment.
• The Illinois State Board of Elections approved this project and funds will be dedicated solely for this purpose
• The $92,850 in grant funding was not previously appropriated because the grant resources were secured after the County’s adoption of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget.
• This is a reimbursement grant, whereby purchases are made by the County Clerk, and upon presentation of invoices and proof of payment, and approval by the Grants Program Manager, the County is reimbursed for qualified expenses.
• The grant award is for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lake County Clerk’s Office received a grant from the Illinois State Board of Elections, to make improvements to Illinois polling places for voters with disabilities, pursuant to Section 101 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, (“HAVA”) (52 USC 20901) (CFDA 90.404); and
WHEREAS, these grant funds will be used to for the purposes of addressing areas of inaccessibility in polling places, working toward the goal that all Illinois voters are able to exercise their right to vote privately and independently; and
WHEREAS, the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department has served as a Lake County polling site since 2004 and will utilize these funds to replace the existing asphalt to restore the adjacent parking lot into a smooth and flat surface; and
WHEREAS, funds will also be used to spot stripe the parking lot which will allow voters with disabilities to have ADA compliant spots with access aisles that are van accessible, thus, creating a safer environment; and
WHEREAS, the grant amount of $92,850 has not been previously appropriated, having been awarded after adoption of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that an emergency appropriation in the amount of $92,850 is hereby authorized in the County Clerk’s budget as identified on the listing of expense and revenue budget modifications attached hereto and made part hereof.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on November 12, 2024.