County elections office looking at new home

JEFF B. FLINN Managing Editor
Yesterday, 06:00 AM

JP2 making move after redistricting

The Kendall County Elections Office could be on the move when new digs eventually open in The Burdick Center on Old San Antonio Road, officials said.

The plan calls for the building to house both election administrators and the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace office after a boundary adjustment this summer relocated the center from Precinct 1 to Precinct 2.

David Neighbor is the Precinct 2 justice of the peace.

According to officials, the project architect has met with Neighbor and the Elections Office to assess space needs.

“Looking ahead, the biggest need is space, adequate space to better serve our community,” said Staci Decker, county elections administrator. “Our team has worked hard to make the current space function, but we’ve reached the point where we’ve simply outgrown it.”

In addition, the Elections Office needs room to follow state requirements calling for greater separation of duties, the secure handling of ballots and areas dedicated to the different stages of an election process.

The county purchased the Burdick building for $4 million Dec. 13, 2024.

By February 2025, Kendall County Commissioners Court moved forward with architectural services and plans for long-term use, officials said.

In July 2025, commissioners selected Architexas to lead the building’s architectural design.

On July 22, commissioners adopted the order redistricting Precincts 1 and 2 to place the Burdick property in Precinct 2.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Andra Wisian said the current Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office is inadequate in terms of location, parking, capacity and security.

“At the same time, our Elections Office continues to grow and must meet updated state requirements for separation of duties and secure operations. This facility allows us to address both needs in a practical, responsible way,” Wisian said.

She added, “This is a great building and a strong value for the county. It allows us to expand services using an existing facility that already has the infrastructure in place, rather than starting from scratch.”

Prior to the county’s purchase, The Burdick Center was used by Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, which deals with children’s residential care and counseling.

‘This facility allows us to address both needs in a practical, responsible way.”