Lake County Clerk Kilkelly: 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: WaukeganWebsite: http://www.kilkellyforclerk.com/Office sought: Lake County Clerk Age: 60Family: spouse: Lawrence Kilbane daughter: Lauren Kilbane daughter: Margaret Kilbane parents: Joan Paul Kilkelly 4 sisters (1 is my twin)Occupation: p-t admin MainStreet LibertyvilleEducation: Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois ~ B.A. 1982 College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois ~ A.A. 1978Civic involvement: Community: Carnegie Preservation Project Waukegan Community Players / Board Position Waukegan Main Street, Waukegan Public Library, St. Martin de Porres, Rotary ~ volunteer Holy Child High School Remembered Committee ~ Co-Chair â#128;#147; raised over $50,000 ~ 2000 Waukegan Community Players ~ Stage Mgr in 5 productions and 7 musicalsElected offices held: /Public Service: Waukegan Park District/Commissioner, Elected 1997 ~ 2005, 2011 Waukegan Township/Trustee, Elected 2005 ~ 2009 Waukegan Port District/Board Member, Governor Appointee, 1992 ~ 1997Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noQuestions 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?Lake County residents deserve a County Clerkâ#128;™s office that delivers services efficiently so taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively, and is an advocate for all voters. Voting is a fundamental right and we need to safeguard that no one is excluded from the voting process. I have business and public service experiences, which includes a small business; working at Abbott, plus volunteerism, all that uniquely qualifies me to lead a well-managed, well-organized and fiscally responsible office. Having managed money, people and events, along with not-for-profit volunteer work, all provide the background necessary to ensure a well-managed, efficient and fiscally responsible operation.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?We have to convey to the public that every vote is important. Starting with our new generation of voters and educating them as to the importance of their vote. To instill in them that voting is a civic responsibility and a rite of passage into adulthood, plus, keep them engaged through communication and the consequences of not voting. Keep updating our senior voters, who are transitioning from their homes. Provide on-line contact information for every candidate during an election cycle so that voters have basic information. Cull voting lists from death certificates received at Clerkâ#128;™s office on timely basis.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?Two primary responsibilities of the Clerkâ#128;™s office are access to voting and secured access and storage of records. Voting is the root of our democracy and it is critical everyone has access to voting and voting information. Birth, marriage and death records are an everyday request and we need to make sure the process is understandable and efficient. We need software that meets the demands of the office, is capable of all required tax assessment calculations, is secured from hacking and other internet viruses and vulnerabilities â#128;#147; these technologies need to be constantly reviewed and updated.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.I donâ#128;™t believe that the current office has responded to the changing demographics and diversity of todayâ#128;™s Lake County. With many newcomers, I know that the County will continue to evolve and grow, and I believe that the Clerkâ#128;™s office has an important role to play in getting their message out and outreach to very diverse communities about elections; the process and steps necessary to insure participation in our democracy as a valid, registered voter; and how to request and be granted access to secured and vital records. I think all of these things need to be improved upon.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?The office is responsible for vital records, and needs to make a commitment to secure all records, evaluate that the software and databases in place are not susceptible to hacking. There are reports that voters have been challenged at voting sites and unable to vote, their only option is a provisional ballet. Voterâ#128;™s need a better understanding of what is required to vote freely without challenges and election staff needs precise instructions/training. The office has an important role in education and outreach to insure that a new voter exercising their voting responsibility is a positive rather than a negative experience.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am not an insider of the current office, nor do I think it should be an extension of the stateâ#128;™s attorney office. I believe the clerkâ#128;™s office, following 20 years of an incumbent, demands a fresh set of eyes to protect voters; to implement upgraded, capable, and secure software systems and procedures; to recognize and reflect in the efficient operations of the office, that Lake County today is far more diverse than the Lake County of 20 years ago and that the office needs to embrace that diversity and supply services and outreach to all Lake County constituents.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?honesty, keeping your word and treating people with respectIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History - knowing how to do research and appreciating the pastIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?be kind, treat others with respect, speak your mind, live your life and don't sit on the sidelines