Q&A with Seyller

Deborah Seyller, Kane County Clerk, Republican

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority?

My main priority for the circuit clerk's office has been and will remain focused on customer service and process improvement. Providing accessibility to the office and to the processes within the courts is one of the office's most important functions. In order to keep the reliance on tax dollars down, the services must be provided in a cost effective manner. I am seeking re-election to continue problem solving within the court system, thereby contributing to the people of Kane County. My vision of using technology to reduce costs, increase productivity, and make the court system more user friendly has proved to be the correct direction.

2. For incumbents and non-incumbents. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

The most well known initiate that I've led is the electronic Order of Protection project, a first in Illinois and in many states. The project included eight organizations in the development, and while it brought multiple benefits to the organizations, the biggest benefits were for victims of domestic violence. Development of the first electronic court room check-in system brought order to a chaotic process, resulting in better customer service. The public now has the ability to make court payments online. My ability to negotiate led to a collaboration with a multinational payment services provider in the development of a revolutionary program for customers that includes a funds guarantee on approved credit card transactions and eliminates the normal equipment costs; the general public benefits from reduced costs associated with holding a defendant in a local cell, the need to provide meals, and transportation to the county jail. In looking to make less work for our own employees, we introduced the first electronic payroll processing system in county government; the same system is being implemented in other large offices, reducing manual entry for the county. office hours have been extended on Wednesday nights for improved customer access, without increasing paid staff hours.

3. Has the county's nearly paperless system for filing orders of protection worked as planned? Are there other ways in which the circuit clerk's office can better streamline the justice system?

The electronic order of protection process has been a valuable success. Because the process contributes the potential to save the lives of domestic violence victims, Kane County has gained recognition internationally. The process has led the way in Illinois, encouraging other counties to adopt their own electronic protection process. In 2007, my office won the CIO 100 Award; they described their recipients as industry role models for business and IT excellence, demonstrating extraordinary results in a variety of important areas, including business transformation, collaboration, customer innovation and top line contributions. The project put us in league with Dell, Hilton Hotels, and Merrill Lynch. Other streamlining that my office already has in various stages of development include: the first phase of a complete electronic court room, free online public access to docket information, electronic citations to eliminate data entry, an upgrade to web payments to accept an electronic plea now that the Supreme Court allows them, an electronic warrant process that will have the same compelling effect as did the order of protection, and expansion of the electronic check-in software to include civil court rooms where the volumes are high or a logical method to organize would help in unique circumstances.

4. What challenges does the circuit clerk's office currently face? How should they be addressed? What challenges do you see affecting the office in the next four years?

County growth, increasing workloads, and budget constraints are the biggest challenge my office faces. The challenges of today will continue in the next four years. The standards for the level of services provided become a focus as budgets are reduced. The number of people needing services increases with the population growth. My record shows that I implement solutions that handle the increased demand in services with the least possible impact on funding. The evolution of technology has expanded the public's expectations for the delivery of services. Services need to be made available through current and emerging technologies with the caveat of remaining within the legal constraints of the Illinois statutes, the Supreme Court rules, and the 16th Judicial Circuit local rules. It takes funding to implement technology, and many people still prefer human interaction as part of their service experience. Limited funding affects progress in both technology and one-on-one service, however, I have experience balancing the budget to move technology forward while maintaining a great level of service within the circuit clerk's office. Both Internet access to court records and electronic filing will improve services, help control the costs, and reduce our reliance on tax dollars to support the office.

5. What would you do to improve the effectiveness of the position?

The effectiveness of a countywide position relies on the reputation of the individual holding the office. An office holder's reputation and the respect needed to be effective are earned over time based on the veracity of their actions and the effectiveness of their contributions. Contributions are made in meetings for the overall good of the system or as actions in implementing solutions. I search out more efficient means of gathering the data for the records we keep and for improving the processes that I observe. I'm inherently a problem solver, an improver. Combine that with my love of technology and my ability to conceptualize with an industry wide perspective, and the outcome is that I reach out to other organizations to improve the justice system as a whole. My management style encourages creativity, and I have been rewarded with a very creative, internal brain trust that is up to any challenge. Our solutions have: provided timely access to data, reduced manual data entry, improved access to records, improved data quality, reduced paper handling, increased agency productivity, improved services, enhanced officer safety, and enhanced public safety - all with little to no reliance on tax dollars.

6. Please list the names of all relatives employed by or involved in contracts with Kane County, their relationship to you and their position or area of business.

Two of which I am aware and both of which, I believe, were first hired prior to my first run for office. Bryan Schramer, nephew-in-law, Kane County Department of Transportation, position unknown; and Michele Schramer, nephew-in-law's spouse, treasurer, position unknown.