Keith Brin: 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: Highland ParkWebsite: www.KeithBrin.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court Age: 44Family: Married to Courtney, a former elementary school teacher. We live in Highland Park with our three children, Sheridan, Hudson and Arden, and our rescue dog Waffle.Occupation: Lake County Clerk of the Circuit CourtEducation: Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree in Public Health with a specialization in Health Policy and Management from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; JD from the Loyola University School of LawCivic involvement: Appointed to Illinois Supreme Court's E-Business Policy Advisory Board and to North American Regional Board of the International Association for Court Administration. Served as Chairman of the Technology Committee for the Lake County Bar Association and as a member of the Highland Park Highwood Legal Aid Clinic Community Advisory Council. Was a board member of the Distinguished Giving Advisory Council for the American Cancer Society, Chair of the Mentorship Committee for the Executives' Club of Chicago, Co-Chair of the Emory University Alumni Interviewing Program, and an Assistant Coach for the Loyola University Chicago School of Law National Mock Trial Team.Elected offices held: Lake County Circuit Court ClerkQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office? If you are running for re-election, is there an important project you want to implement? If you are a challenger, is there a particular issue that motivates you? Please explain.I made three promises when I ran four years ago, and I have kept every single one. We have modernized the office, utilized technology to improve customer service and security, and maintained the Lake County tradition of fiscal discipline.I believe I have made Lake County proud, and I hope to earn the opportunity to serve you for a second term. If honored to be given a second term, I plan to continue this important work. There is still more that can be done to further modernize the office and streamline operations to save taxpayers even more money.Describe your position on transparency and public service in the circuit clerk's 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 believe strongly in government transparency, because that is the only way to hold our elected leaders and government officials accountable. I am accountable to the citizens of Lake County for every decision.This is one of the key reasons why, after being elected, I revamped our website to make it more user-friendly. In fact, our new website recently won the Interactive Media Awards "Outstanding Achievement Award" in the government category. Moving forward, we will work to be even more transparent and user-friendly.What aspects of the office do you think needs improvement? Be specific. How would you address that need?We have made great progress in modernizing the office. We used technology to create around-the-clock access to the courts without using a dime of taxpayer funds. This state-of-the-art, real-time Electronic Filing System allows court documents to be filed and viewed remotely anytime anywhere. We also led an electronic transfer payment initiative, expediting payments to every Lake County municipality and taxpayer and preventing the waste of 4,500 pieces of paper per month.We have more work to do to reach my goal of being completely paper-on-demand in and out of our courtrooms, further improving efficiency and security while reducing waste.In the last year or so, the office has had to address the formation of a union and an associated lawsuit that have strained relationships with employees. What should be done to mend those relationships?I am cultivating a culture that understands that we are there to serve the public. We streamlined operations, consolidated departments, cross-trained employees, and expanded and improved the services we provide while reducing our office's operating budget by over 20%! I am proud that many of our employees have embraced this concept and we are working towards a common goal. If some of our employees want to join a union, we will work with that union and address any issues. However, this will not change what we strive to achieve for the taxpayers - modernization, fiscal responsibility, and customer service.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?I ran for Lake County Circuit Court Clerk in 2012, winning by nearly 10%. As Circuit Court Clerk, I have modernized the office, reduced spending, increased accountability to taxpayers, and ensured unmatched customer service.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, I am grateful for the opportunities my family has found in our community. I recognize that it's not enough to simply work in the office in which I was elected; I must also support the greater community in my efforts. I and my office are unyielding supporters of many charities and programs, in and outside the courthouse. Moving forward, we will continue to make Lake County proud, both in how our office operates as well as in our personal time as we seek to be worthy of your trust and support.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My inspiration is closer to home - my father. He inspires me to be a great dad and husband.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is most important. No matter what life throws at you, family will be there to celebrate good times, and comfort in hard times.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have recorded my grandmother's life story. She passed away when I was young, and we know little about her life before the Holocaust.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science: Scientific method taught me to use objective measurements to guide decisions, and the philosophical aspects taught me that nothing is impossible.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Enjoy life. You have one life to live - learn as much as you can, experience the world, and inspire others to be better.