DuPage Clerk Seeks Restraining Order; Says Over $230K Owed To Election Vendors

DUPAGE COUNTY — A motion for a temporary restraining order was recently filed by DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek against the DuPage County Board and County Auditor Bill White seeking "immediate payment" for two election vendors owed more than $115,000 each, a news release said.

Per the DuPage County Clerk's Office, Prager Moving & Storage is owed $115,000 for its delivery, logistics, security and management services during the Consolidated Election on April 1.

Governmental Business Systems (GBS) is owed $116,414.83, the news release said. GBS performed accuracy testing on voting machines prior to the Consolidated Election and also provided election kits that were "highly customized," per the news release.

Kaczmarek asserts that the county "refused" to pay both vendors, "despite explicit, unambiguous guidance from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office."

In 2024, a lawsuit was filed against Kaczmarek by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office asserting Kaczmarek was in violation of the state's Local Government Prompt Payment Act. In September 2024, County Board Chair Deb Conroy said Kaczmarek failed to comply with DuPage County's practices.

Kaczmarek responded with a countersuit naming Conroy, among others. The suit states that the county board challenged invoices, including some involving "technical issues."

"While the litigation is ongoing," the recent news release said, "the fast-approaching 2026 Primary Election has caused Kaczmarek to seek the Court’s immediate intervention through a mandatory temporary restraining order."

In a statement, Kaczmarek said, "DuPage County routinely pays for professional services from other offices without a blink of an eye, even when officials are handing out contracts to their campaign donors. I wouldn’t dream of doing such dirty business, yet my office is the one continually targeted for interference. DuPage County needs to start following the same laws as the rest of the state before it costs the voters a free and fair election.”