Title
Joint resolution authorizing the First Amendment to the Water Tower Lease Agreement with Chicago SMSA Limited Partnership (dba Verizon Wireless), Basking Ridge, New Jersey, for the long-term placement of telecommunications equipment at the Wildwood Water Tower.
Staff Summary
• Lake County (County) owns the Wildwood Water Tower located at 32850 N. John Mogg Road, Grayslake, Illinois.
• The County and Verizon Wireless previously entered into a lease agreement for the placement of telecommunications equipment on the Wildwood Water Tower, dated May 31, 2002.
• The current lease agreement will expire in 2027, and Verizon Wireless is proposing to amend the lease agreement to adjust the monthly rent that Verizon Wireless pays the County and to extend the lease term.
• Verizon Wireless desires to keep the telecommunications equipment on the water tower to provide wireless phone and data services to its customers for four five-year terms.
• The First Amendment to the Water Tower Lease Agreement has been prepared which sets forth the terms and conditions of the lease, including a $42,000 annual lease ($3,500 monthly payment) with a 3 percent increase annually.
• The State’s Attorney’s Office and Purchasing Division have reviewed this First Amendment to Water Tower Lease Agreement prior to action by the County Board.
• This resolution authorizes the County Board Chair and County Clerk to execute a five-year lease agreement, with three five-year renewal options, with Verizon Wireless.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the County of Lake (County) owns and operates the Wildwood
Water Tower located at 32850 N. John Mogg Road, Grayslake, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the County previously entered into a lease agreement with Chicago SMSA Limited Partnership (dba Verizon Wireless) for the placement of telecommunications equipment on the Water Tower, dated May 31, 2002; and
WHEREAS, the lease agreement will expire in 2027, and Verizon Wireless is requesting a First Amendment to this Water Tower Lease Agreement; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the lease agreement has been prepared which sets forth updated terms and conditions for keeping the telecommunications equipment on the Water Tower; and
WHEREAS, execution of the First Amendment to the Water Tower Lease Agreement must be authorized by resolution of this County Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Chair of the County Board and the Clerk of said County be and they are hereby authorized and directed to execute a five-year First Amendment to Lease Agreement with three five-year renewal options with Chicago SMSA Limited Partnership (dba Verizon Wireless), of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, for the placement of telecommunications equipment on the Wildwood Water Tower in the form substantially herein.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on July 8, 2025.