Lake County Clerk Wyckoff: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: Lake ForestWebsite: carlaforclerk.com facebook.com/carlaforclerk/Office sought: Lake County Clerk Age: 66Family: Daughter, McKay, 27, Attorney, Atlanta, GA Son, Alexander, 25, Wilderness Fire Fighter, UtahOccupation: Assistant State's Attorney, Lake CountyEducation: Bachelor of Journalism, 1970, Univ. of Missouri MBA, 1978, Northwestern Univ. JD, 1993, Loyola, Chicago Law Schl.Civic involvement: Vice-Chair, Independence Center Board, Waukegan; Elder, 1st Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, previously served as Chairman, Mission Committee; Also, previously: Chairman, City of Lake Forest Legal Committee; Co-Secretary, Friends of the LF Library Board; BSA Troop 46 Committee; LFHS Orchestra and Tennis Team Mom; Pennington Borough (NJ) Library Board; Chicago JayceesElected offices held: No previous political offices other than Republican Precinct Committeeman, Lake Forest, Shields Township approximately 1998-2004 and currently.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No criminal convictions or arrests.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I have been involved in legislative/political/legal issues throughout my career. Community involvement has been an added dimension. Public service is a natural extension. As a result of my unique experience for the past 14 years as the attorney (through the Lake County State's Attorney's Office)for the Clerk's Office, I have direct knowledge about the activities, operations and staff. This, combined with my integrity, work ethic and commitment to providing accessible, efficient services to the Lake County residents-- in elections, vital records and tax extensions -- will enable me to make a substantive contribution to the citizens of Lake County.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?Open Seat. As a result of serving as the Clerk's attorney for the last 14 years, I am familiar with the numerous statutes that dictate the operations of the office. For example, recent changes in election law provide for on-line voter registration, expanded provisional voting and extended grace period registration to name just a few. Prior knowledge of these and the other laws and rules that dictate the Clerk's duties is a significant, positive attribute that I would bring to the Office. My priority would be to provide excellent customer service and fair and open elections as efficiently as possible.Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the Clerk's office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expense or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?The existing allocation of resources is effective for current operations. Additional staff cross training will enable re-assignments to further streamline functions and focus efforts. In the future, however, the office will face significant resource challenges with anticipated changes in state statutes -- particularly related to elections. Expanded registration and voting opportunities will command more sophisticated (and expensive) technology and systems to respond to changes dictated by the legislature. This will require planning, research and working closely with the Lake County IT resources and the Board to budget for capital expenses, to implement new programs and to replace existing obsolete equipment.Name one concrete program youâ#128;™ll create or personnel move youâ#128;™ll make to improve efficiency in the office or make it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome any obstacles to initiating it.As a result of cross-training staff; internal printing and consolidation of election and early election activities, the Clerk's Office operates at a high level of efficiency. So, aside from major program change(s) related to legislative directives(mentioned above), I would like to explore several more modest changes to streamline procedures in the Clerk's office including increased ability to digitize documents and ways to more efficiently communicate with voters, election judges and assumed business name registrants. This will require some additional funding which can be offset by reductions from eliminating some current communication methods.Describe your position on transparency in the office and the ease of access to records by the public. If you believe improvements are needed, what are they and how would you go about achieving them?I will continue to comply with the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act as well as all of the statutory requirements to provide information to the state, to voters, to political candidates and parties and to the public. At the same time I will adhere to the statutes that hold that Vital Records (birth, marriage and death records) are not considered public records and must be protected and released only according to the dictates of statute. I intend to continue to foster a culture of open communications with the public and easy access to the Clerk's office services.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Voter turnout and increased participation in the election process and activities are important issues to me. Changes in the law during the past decade have made registration and voting easier and more convenient but actual participation has been either stagnant or has declined. 2014 Primary Election participation was about 14%; presidential races have drawn about 70% but off-years and consolidated elections, less. To the extent I can work with civic and community groups and high schools I want to raise awareness and encourage participation in our election process--to register, to vote and to serve as election judges and deputy registrars.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am inspired by my parents who came from humble origins; worked hard; were extremely successful and left a legacy of integrity, commitment and humility.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?That character matters more than anything else in the world.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have been so fortunate--stable, loving family; good education; interesting jobs; great kids--wouldn't want a do-over to change anything. I might learn more history/geography....What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. It fostered my love of books and reading. It strengthened my ability to write and communicate which is critical for any endeavor undertaken.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?One piece -- impossible. Stay close to each other; be kind; don't compromise your integrity; keep commitments; don't be afraid to think freely; be happy.