Gloria Ludwig: 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: Des PlainesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Des Plaines Clerk (4-year Term)Age: 60Family: Happily married, no kids, cats, dogs or fishOccupation: City Clerk of Des Plaines, Illinois; Owner of two businesses - "Glamour On The Go!" (Hair Care Services - Housecalls) and "Jewels the Clown" (Entertainment)Education: Graduated Elgin High School, Elgin, IL; graduated from Capri School of Cosmetology Chgo; Achieved Registered Municipal Clerk - Municipal Clerks of Illinois (Nov., 2011); Certified Municipal Clerk - International Institute of Municipal Clerks (Jan., 2012)Civic involvement: Current Community Involvement: Member - Des Plaines Youth Commission (2001-2009) Assisted the student members in planning events throughout the year I continue to support them by promoting and attending their events Member - Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership (2001 to present) Attend monthly meetings; exchange information about needs in the City Accompanied six high school students to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a Healthy Community, Healthy Youth Conference (2006) Financial Supporter Des Plaines Community Foundation (2001 to present) Participate in fundraising events during the year (Paper for the Pantry, Day at the Races, Night at the Casino) Member Des Plaines Historical Society Member Ladies of the Elks Participate in fundraisers for scholarships during the year Board Member, Member and Financial Supporter Des Plaines Frisbie Senior Center Assist the Board of Directors to discuss needs of the members, Center and fundraising events on a monthly basis Member Des Plaines Ministerial Association Exchange information and discuss needs and upcoming events within the City Member - Maine West High School Community Relations Committee Contribute during meetings held six or seven times each school year which keeps each member of the committee informed of events at the school as well as within the City Volunteer Crochet Club at Maine West High School We meet each Wednesday during the school year to make items to be donated to charity Last year we knitted and crocheted blankets for preemies This year we are making caps and jewelry for chemo patients Volunteer United Way Women's Leadership Council Participate as a member of the Women's Leadership Council; we plan fundraising events for the benefit of women in need Member / Instructor - American Cancer Society "Look Good, Feel Better" Program As a licensed Cosmetologist, I teach the "Look Good, Feel Better" program to cancer patients (to help raise their self-esteem) every other month at the Cancer Center in Park Ridge Instructor - Junior Achievement in a Day Lead students through a program to teach them aboutOur City? using City maps for Streets, Wards and Zoning Member and Financial Supporter - Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois Member - The Rosenwald Society Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois Volunteer - Community Paint-A-Thon sponsored by Valspar Coatings in Wheeling, Illinois Past Community Involvement: Member of the Board of Trustees - Des Plaines Historical Society (2002-2004) Volunteer - Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation WBBM Good Neighbor Radiothon (1999-2009) Volunteer and Financial Supporter - Soup of Success Elkhart, Indiana (1998 to present) Financially support a highly successful program which gives women job and life skills to get them off of welfare Adopt-A-Grandparent Program (1981-1983) Big Sisters of Kane County, Illinois (1984-1986) Member and Chairman of Hanover Park Ontarioville Historical Society (1982-1986) Jerry Lewis Telethons (1979-1982) My first volunteer experience: Operation Open Heart (Open Your Hearts to Our Servicemen) Hanover Park, Illinois (1972-1978) Assisted in fundraising efforts to purchase gifts and necessities for those at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital for Christmas Raised funds to fly a mother of a patient at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in and put her up in a hotel so she could spend time with her son Bus the Sailors from Great Lakes to Hanover Park to share Christmas Day with families Collect food items for a complete turkey dinner and deliver it to the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, including a visit from Santa Claus Pick up doughnuts from local bakeries to be taken to the USO at O?Hare Airport Spend an evening once or twice a month at the USO at O?Hare Airport playing cards with military personnel, serving coffee and doughnuts while they waited for their flights Constructed a parade float with a patriotic theme each year in honor of Veterans and those in the military.Elected offices held: Des Plaines City Clerk 2009-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Accountability in service to the taxpayers to assure the most and highest quality of service possible.Key Issue 2 To modernize the Clerk's Office by streamlining the Agenda and Minutes thereby making the Minutes available to City departments and residents in a timelier manner.Key Issue 3 To continue to enhance the relationship between the City Clerk's Office and the Election Division of the Cook County Clerk's Office for the benefit of candidates and residents.Questions Answers Some communities have contracted out for certain services, such as snowplowing, to save money. What innovative methods would you propose to reduce your office's budget? Explain your answer.I want to initiate low cost advanced technological programs in the Clerk's Office to save the taxpayers money by reducing Staff time and resources. This would also streamline office routines.The state's revised Freedom of Information Act guidelines renewed focus on open government. Name one specific step you would take if elected to increase government transparency in your office.I want to bring in a technological program which would reduce the response time to FOI requests. This program would improve communication between the Clerk's Office, City departments, Police Department as well as the Legal Department. This program would also keep much better track of the status of requests, reduce paper shuffling and notify respondents of a deadline by email.Do you believe the village clerk should be an elected or appointed position? Please explain your answer.I believe that the City Clerk's position should remain elected rather than appointed. This question appeared on the ballot a number of years ago. The response was 3 to 1 that the City Clerk's position should remain an elected position. Being an elected position gives voters a choice as to whom they want for Clerk.What steps would you take as village clerk to improve and increase the flow of information to residents?Currently, communication to the residents is disseminated through the quarterly Des Plaines Digest newsletter, the City website www.desplaines.org, press releases, and informational brochures. I also attend meetings of a number of community organizations to keep abreast of events and resources available to the residents. I would enhance communication by issuing weekly updates to the media and encouraging an open door to the residents. I do my best to attend Ward meetings and other events where residents attend to personally keep them informed. This also gives me the opportunity to hear the residents' concerns.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for village clerk? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.During my term as City Clerk, I took advantage of numerous opportunities for training to improve my skills and streamline office procedures. These opportunities also provide networking with other clerks. In November, 2011, I earned the "Registered Municipal Clerk" status through the Municipal Clerks of Illinois through education and training. In January, 2012, I earned the "Certified Municipal Clerk" status from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks after completing rigorous educational requirements. I have streamlined some of the office procedures. Through training by the Cook County Clerk's Office - Election Division, I have become more aware of their procedures and processes regarding elections, objections to petitions and ballot placement. As a representative of the City of Des Plaines, I attend meetings of the Healthy Community Partnership, Maine West High School Community Relations Committee, Des Plaines Youth Commission, Frisbie Senior Center as well as the Des Plaines Ministerial Association and the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. I also work with the United Way - Women's Leadership Council to provide opportunities to empower women in and outside of Des Plaines.