Lake County Technology Committee Meeting - August 1, 2025
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Lake County Technology Committee Meeting - August 1, 2025
The Lake County Technology Committee met on August 1, 2025, at 8:30 AM via hybrid format. Chair Clark presided. The committee approved a consent agenda, a contract for security system installation, and three new or revised IT policies (cybersecurity awareness training, AI governance, AI usage). Updates were provided on broadband initiatives, the digital navigator program, and the enterprise resource planning (Workday) implementation. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Item 8.1 (Consent Agenda): Approved unanimously without discussion.
Discussion Items
- Item 8.2 – Contract with Pace Systems Inc.: Joint resolution authorizing a $52,457.85 contract to install access control, security cameras, and intrusion alarm systems at a leased warehouse (33740-3742 Hotheron Court, Waukegan) in support of the county clerk’s move. Funded by the county clerk. Director of Facilities Carl Carrar explained the system ties into the county IT network and will use the same provider as at 415 Washington. Committee members asked about video access, cybersecurity, and integration with county IT. Clerk’s office staff clarified that access is tied to two-factor authentication and that the warehouse security will follow similar protocols. Approved unanimously.
- Items 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 – IT Policies: Three joint resolutions were considered together:
- 8.3 Cybersecurity Awareness Training Policy (revised): Requires annual training per state statute, continues monthly Ninja videos (participation >90%), and focuses phishing test failures on additional training.
- 8.4 Artificial Intelligence Governance Policy (new): Establishes oversight for AI software procurement, risk evaluation, and an advisory team. Allows fast-track approval for low-risk tools. Excludes pilots/proofs of concept unless reviewed.
- 8.5 Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy (new): Provides guidelines for ethical, responsible use of AI, including human-in-the-loop, prohibitions on entering PII, and reporting requirements.
- CIO Chris Blanding and Applications Manager Mike Buslana presented. The policies underwent a collaborative countywide review; all department feedback was integrated where possible. The Sheriff's Office opted out temporarily due to contract matters but will continue to participate. The Health Department opted of regulatory requirements (HIPAA, Board of Health approval) but will develop its own aligned policies. Both departments expressed intent to adopt future versions. Committee members praised the collaborative process and emphasized the need for government-specific training scenarios and pre-approved AI tool lists. Approved unanimously.
- Item 9.1 – Broadband Update: Kay Crandall (Digital Equity Manager) and Kim Lunt (Digital Equity Coordinator) reported on federal BEAD program changes (technology-neutral, removal of fiber-first preference, low-cost plan requirements, workforce/digital equity funding cuts). Illinois is in wave two. The county is monitoring, engaging ISPs, and lobbying for restored metrics. Public Wi-Fi projects in Waukegan and North Chicago are progressing with intergovernmental agreements. Digital Navigator program metrics: served 1,913 unique residents, 1,355 engagement hours, 1,561 sessions, 426 devices distributed. Learn to Earn classes use North Star assessments (293 users, 508 passes out of 1,035 assessments, 451 certificates). Digital Equity Coalition meetings held. Committee members thanked staff and noted the life-changing impact.
- Item 9.2 – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation Update: Patrice (project manager) reported that the Workday system has completed configuration and unit testing (2,700+ scenarios by 60 team members). End-to-end testing launched this week (1,000+ scenarios, touching dozens of hands). Over 900,000 rows of Lake County data loaded. Change management outreach underway. Project remains on schedule and within budget. Committee members expressed excitement about efficiency gains (e.g., automated invoice processing).
- Directors Report: None.
- County Administrator's Report: Introduced new CFO Regina Tuchuk.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Agenda (Item 8.1) unanimously.
- Approved contract with Pace Systems Inc. (Item 8.2) unanimously.
- Approved Cybersecurity Awareness Training Policy, AI Governance Policy, and AI Usage Policy (Items 8.3, 8.4, 8.5) unanimously, with noted opt-outs by Sheriff's Office and Health Department.
- Received broadband and digital equity updates; noted ongoing federal policy changes.
- Received ERP implementation update; project on time for go-live.
- Postponed Item 13.1 (closed session minutes review) to the next meeting (August 29, 2025) on a motion by Member Campos, second by Roberts, approved unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:45 AM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good morning, everyone. Today is August 1st, 2025. And I call the Lake County Technology Committee meeting to order at 8 30 a.m. In addition to being able to attend in person, remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom at the link on the agenda. This meeting is being recorded through Zoom. For county board rules and the open meetings act, attendance via remote means is permitted for qualifying reasons, as long as the majority of the committee members are physically present. We've been notified in advance by member Frank that he is requested to participate electronically due to one of the qualifying reasons. As a reminder to members attending remotely, please ensure your camera is on at all times. All right, can we please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I fled allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Good morning. Can I get a roll call, please? Yes. Member Compost. Chair Clark. Here. Member Dan Forth. Member Frank. Here. Member Roberts. Perfect. Is there any addenda to the agenda? There's not. Are there any public comments? There is no public comments. All right. Don't have any chairs remarks. No unfinished business. New business is our consent agenda item 8.1. Can I get a motion in a second? Motion by Robert, second by Kasbin. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. On to our regular agenda is item 8.2, which is a joint resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Pace Systems Inc., Naperville, Illinois, for professional services to install access control security cameras and intrusion alarm systems in leased warehouse at 33740 to 3742, Hotheron Court, Waukegan, Illinois, in the amount of 52,457 and 85 cents. Can I get a motion in a second, please? Motion by Campos, second by Kasbin. Good morning, Director Carrar. Good morning, Carl Carrar, Director of Facilities and Construction Services. So this work is in support of the county clerk's move to a new warehouse in Waukegan. And uh it is fully funded by the county clerk, which is fantastic for us. Uh the project as it states in the title, it's uh installs access control, security cameras, and an intrusion alarm system to properly secure the facility as we move forward. Um, so the services were what's contracted through joint purchasing, which is why we're able to go through them. This actually is the current provider of the access control and security systems that they have at 415 Washington. So we're using that same contractor. They're gonna essentially transport some of the gear and add additional gear to the warehouse to make sure it's secure pressing forward. All right, great. I know we discussed this at finance yesterday, and it was really exciting to see this new um place to store everything uh for the in the for the election materials and things like that.
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