Thomas Hartwell: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ElginWebsite: http://www.tomhartwell.comOffice sought: Kane Clerk of the Circuit CourtAge: 52Family: Father of 2 sons: On baseball and golf scholarships, Dave attends Lyon College, Batesville AR, majoring in math and secondary education. Danny, a choral soloist, is a NHS senior at Burlington Central HS. He will attend Mizzou's pre-dentistry program.Occupation: Attorney with 27 with a broad based practice. Admitted to IL Bar 1985 and the No. Dist. IL Federal Bar 1994. Author of the book "Striving To Win," based on the true story of the State Champion Little League team from Elgin Continental LL.Education: 1982 Magna Cum Laude BA Augustana College, majors in Business Admin. and Political Science. 1985 Juris Doctor and MBA with honors, Univ of Iowa, Senior Note and Comment Editor for the Journal of Corporation, author of two published legal articles.Civic involvement: Chairman Elgin Recreation Ctr. (anti-gang programs);Rotary International-Paul Harris Fellow; VP of Kane County American Heart Assn Heartwalk;SE Lions Club; organized many faith based community churches and organization; past Pres. Elgin Continental Little League; managed 2007 State Champion Little League team.Elected offices held: 1996-2000 Kane County Board District 16; 1996-2000 member of Kane County Judiciary Committee and Public Health Committee; 1996-2000 member of the Kane County Forest Preserve.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Financial Efficiency:When it comes to wasteful government spending, enough is enough. I will make tough decisions that will help solve the financial fix were in. Kane County can no longer afford the type of old-school leadership that has brought us to the brink. As circuit clerk, I will identify waste and root out the inefficiencies that exist in the office. I will conduct proficiency studies to effectively employ existing personnel and conduct an IT audit to identify improvements in the circuit clerk's computer systems.The audits and studies will be conducted by independent and unbiased professionals so that the best results can be achieved.Because information processed by the office is more complicated, moving forward in processing and maintaining our court records must reflect greater sophistication in understanding their forms, purposes and effects. My goal as the circuit clerk would be to serve the citizens of Kane County in a timely, efficient and ethical manner. In accordance with local rules and applicable statutes, all services, court records and related information will be provided with courtesy and cost efficiency.Financial efficiency goes hand-in-hand with transparency and accountability.Key Issue 2 Communication:Given the changes that will occur with the upcoming election, this is one of our best opportunities to improve the relationship between elected officials. Good government is about inclusion, not exclusion, which occurs far too often in Kane County. Better communication, among departments and individual employees, fosters constructive cooperation. I believe in finding common ground and working on common goals. I respect others and, in turn, look to be respected. It's commitment, not blatant authority, that produces the best results in government. My attitude welcomes open daily discussion and the exchange of varying ideas. Quality leadership at any level is about action, not position. One ongoing challenge will be our ability to do more with less. If we don't work smart and if we don't work together, the slow recovery of our economy will continue to strain the public sector. Maintaining a balanced budget without sacrificing important county services is something that needs to be addressed across the board, regardless of office, in the spirit of reciprocal collaboration.Kane County misspent over $ 450,000 in attorneys fees to settle the lawsuit between the current circuit clerk and the county board. This is a direct result of un-cooperative actions and failure to find common ground in a timely fashion.The parties found common ground but only after the lawsuit was filed and a half a million dollars spent.That cooperation could have and should have been found to save the taxpayers' money.Key Issue 3 An Advanced Computer and Records System:As an attorney, with his own business to run, I am painfully aware of the inefficiency endemic in circuit clerk's office. Electronic filing is available the federal level, and in other counties, too. Efficiencies from an advanced computer and records system would reduce overall costs by a significant margin while granting some relief to an already over burdened court docket. The circuit clerk's primary responsibility is to maintain and categorize our court records. The current circuit clerk's office is behind in the installation and implementation of an advanced computer and records system. The efficient and economical management of our court records is directly impacted by the technology we use. New computer software and programs will allow the court to process cases with even greater efficiency and enable people outside the court to access certain public information over the Internet.We live in an information age. Kane County court records need to be brought into the new millennium. Advanced computer technology will free up the office's employees to take on other additional responsibilities, creating an atmosphere organized around timely and cost-efficient customer service.Questions Answers Do you believe the county court system needs a computer system upgrade that might cost as much as $12.6 million? If so, do you support using RTA sales tax money to fund the cost, or do you have a different plan? If not, what is your alternative plan?I applaud the county board's decision to consider major upgrades to the computer network and records keeping system. The creation of a centralized computer 'warehouse' where data will be stored and then accessed by the appropriate county offices and departments has merit.Under a secure system, data and records that come into the warehouse will be prepared or 'cleansed.' Then offices such as the circuit clerk, sheriff, state's attorney, public defender, will be able to interface with the warehouse and access that data and information.Each office or department can then rework the information to do its job most efficiently.The county has made a request for proposals and is looking for best practices suggestions.The price tag of $12.6 million has not been agreed to but an estimate. I am not willing to agree to endorse any sum at this juncture.There are many facts that have to be determined before any decisions can be made.Other counties, such McHenry and DuPage have advanced systems that we can consider.There is no reason to recreate a system if a model is available.The cost of the system is only one important issue.The other is the savings that will arise out of implementing the system.Neither of these figures is determinable at present.The county should take advantage of consultative selling offered by the pre-sales consultants of the vendors seeking to bid.Free of charge, these consultants will provide valuable information in hopes of winning the bid.The county then can compare the information from the competing vendors and begin making decisions. Although the process has only begun, I believe the upgrades are needed. Assuming cost saving justify the upgrades, the RTA sale tax should be looked at as one possible source.Other sources should be investigated as well.How do you resolve the ongoing debate over the county board setting budgets for departments run by other elected officials whom the county board has no control over? How should the county board enforce the budgets it sets'The ongoing debate over county board budgets should be encouraged, not discouraged. Problems can become opportunities when public officials learn to work together, something that is often lacking in Kane County. In addition, checks and balances are the hallmark of American government. Consequently, the county board must cooperateNo one should be absolved from making the tough decisions needed to transform Kane County government into a model of equality and efficiency. A budget should be fair. And it should offer fiscal guidelines, taking into account the operating needs of each and every department.By following strict standards of accountability in the enforcement of its budget, the county board can provide leadership in an unwavering commitment to open, honest and efficient government that provides the highest service at the lowest cost to taxpayers.Do you believe the county board members and chairman should receive health insurance and pension benefits'Private sector employers use 'reasonable? benefits such as health insurance and pensions attract the best employees. Public sector employers must do the same. Nevertheless, there is significant public outcry about bloated and sky-rocketing obligations to pay for public pension and retiree health benefits. That is a great concern to me. Politicians have failed to set aside funds and future generations unfairly must foot the bill. We have to ensure that our local government is carefully managing its funds'something that affects the public's trust in government itself. At any level, taxpayers need to know that government benefits are in line with the private sector while, at the same time, still serving our employees and protecting our retirees.Any benefits package that involves county board members and the board must be fair and affordable.Do you support a more stringent ethics ordinance for Kane County governing the conduct of elected officials and county employees' Why or why not? If so, what should the ordinance contain?As a judicial office, Circuit Clerk is exempt from ethics ordinance. In my office, I will institute an ethics policy that is as stringent, or more stringent than the ordinance passed by the county board.