On the outside and also inside

Carolyn Higgins admits it's a bit awkward being an elected official in a town she'd rather see abolished.

But she doesn't think her staunch opposition to last year's incorporation of Campton Hills means she won't be a fair and effective village clerk.

"I'm determined to do this job and do what I was elected to do … regardless of whether I'm in favor of the original incorporation of the village or not," Higgins said. "I don't think that's an issue."

A 26-year resident of the area, the first-time politician ran for office in February alongside seven other unimpressed citizens who pledged to dissolve Campton Hills if elected to a majority of village offices. Among them, only Higgins won, and tonight is her first full board meeting.

Now she faces the perhaps daunting task of working directly with her adversaries on the Campton Hills village board, a group she's also taking to court in an effort to secede her subdivision from the newly formed town.

Higgins, who has 30 years' experience in clerical work, granted the Daily Herald an interview regarding her unique situation. Her responses were edited for length and clarity.

DH: How does it feel to be the lone village opponent in office?

Higgins: I can't say I feel perfectly comfortable, but that's to be expected. I think anybody going into an office like this would be uncomfortable. For some reason, there are polarized versions of whether or not I can serve as an effective clerk because I am not necessarily 100 percent convinced the village is a good thing. I can't say my opinion changed instantly because I was elected. But the village is an entity recognized by the state. I don't find a conflict with enforcing or following, as long as it's legal, anything that is part of village ordinances, resolutions and such.

DH: For the record, what do you think should happen with the village?

Higgins: I'm not totally sure. I know people have prepared a referendum (proposing dissolution) and it's been upheld by the Kane County Electoral Board as valid. I think it should be heard. There won't be peace in the village or in Campton Township until that issue is put to rest.

DH: Some say that issue was put to rest when village proponents were elected to all but one office.

Higgins: The village officers and employees currently believe people voted twice to confirm the village. Well, they didn't. They voted once to incorporate the village and once to vote in officers. They're extrapolating the voting in of officers into an automatic confirmation of the village. But it's not. The (dissolution) question was never put forth.

DH: Can you further that idea with your new position?

Higgins: I don't know. I'll have to take it one day at a time.

DH: At a recent board meeting you said you were aware the clerk's job is not to weigh in on issues, but to keep an accurate record.

Higgins: The only thing I can do directly is keep an accurate record and make it as timely and efficient as I can so people don't have to wait three months to hear the minutes of January's meeting. Or to try and make sure things run as smoothly as they can so people can be there and witness what's going on.

DH: Before the election did it cross your mind you might be the only one from your slate elected?

Higgins: Yeah! I resisted (running for office) for a long time because I thought, you know, God forbid. I thought about it when they looked for candidates but didn't. I was asked again later and said, 'No, this scares me.' And at that point, it did. It's like sitting in a very uncomfortable chair.

DH: How have your colleagues treated you so far?

Higgins: I've been treated politely. I've been asked to do a couple things I've refused, just some technical little things -- things that I'm not ready to do and that I'm not going to mention (publicly).

DH: How was it sitting on the other side of the table the first time?

Higgins: I sat down and did a job. I kind of forgot the audience was there and just did what I had to do. It's like going to work. I know I'm not a voting member; I don't have a problem with that. I have a little problem with the fact I'm told I'm not allowed to voice my opinion now. I think I should be able to voice my opinion when I'm not behind that table, anytime I choose because I'm a citizen. I've been told that's not what they want.

DH: What about this interview?

Higgins: I don't know. I may get my hand slapped. If I do, I get my hand slapped.

DH: What are your goals?

Higgins: I'm hoping to get minutes out quicker. I'm not saying anybody didn't do things legally and as efficiently as they could. I just hope I can maybe bring a little more timeliness to it. Also, I hope to give people who are not in favor of the village, who are interested in that referendum or who are just still sitting on the fence, a feeling that not just those who voted for the village are being represented. That's the impression I get. I keep hearing, well, the people voted us in, so we're going to do this. They (village supporters) did win a majority. But, unfortunately, sometimes it seems like they discount some people who are not in favor of what's going on as insignificant or uneducated or as if they're all puppets just following some pied piper walking down the road. People in this community are intelligent people. And I trust all of the people to make their voices heard.

DH: What else do you want readers to know?

Higgins: Just that I'm determined to do this job and do what I was elected to do. I think I can do this regardless of whether I'm in favor of the original incorporation of the village or not. I don't think that's an issue. I think the village exists, and I'm an elected official in it. I willingly ran for office. If I wasn't willing to take the job, why would I have run?