One of Illinois' busiest Secretary of State facilities is abruptly closing after Orland Township trustees voted to revoke its lease.

It appeared to be almost a split issue, decided by a 3-2 vote, with some wanting to keep the location and others wanting more space and services. 

The trustees claimed people going to the DMV at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. in Orland Park are causing disruptions and security concerns. At a Monday night board meeting, trustees said they have had issues with police calls over disturbances at the facility.

The trustees said there is no separation between the Secretary of State facility and the rest of the building in which it is housed. They said people go into the township building and trustees' offices while looking for the DMV.

"They're in 1,100 square feet; that area cannot service the volume of people that they're bringing through here," said trustee Ken Duffy.  

Duffy said the facility should be in a space three times its current size. Trustees also said there are long lines in extreme weather despite people having appointments, and they dislike that there is signage at every corner to clear up confusion with so many services being in one spot.

"It's like a flea market, there's signs everywhere, and they go in the front door, they have to get turned around and sent around the other way because they don't know where to go," Duffy said.

Some people we spoke to who went to the facility for DMV services Tuesday agreed with the trustees, especially about parking and a lack of space inside, while others want to keep things as they are and think this location is quicker than other Secretary of State facilities nearby.

"We definitely need more parking places and also more handicap spaces," said resident Norma Fogg. "Even now, I found it hard to get to a parking place."

Fogg thinks it's a good idea to move this location to a bigger space. But Susan Moore was not happy to hear the location is going away.

"I hate it, because they're so quick and fast, and with me being injured it's easier to get in and out," she said.  

Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady voted to keep things as they are.

"I'm a no vote on it, because obviously it's essential to our seniors — not only here in the township, but also others in the region," O'Grady. "These others that come here and use the Secretary of State's office, not only come here to do their business here, they also frequent our restaurants, they go to the mall. They take care of other business here in our town."

O'Grady said there is room for improvement, but closing the space is not the answer. 

"I would ask them to open up more dialogue with me, with the residents, and let's see if there's a solution we can come to," he said. 

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a statement, saying the trustees made the decision "without providing notice or consulting with Secretary of State staff." The statement goes onto say the board "failed their constituents and the taxpayers they are elected to serve."

For now, the DMV and Secretary of State's Office has 90 days to vacate. The next closest location is about 10 miles away in Midlothian.

The trustees who voted against moving the location hope to revisit the issue in August's board meeting.