For DuPage clerk, recorder, forest preserve
DuPage circuit court clerk
Incumbent Chris Kachiroubas of Elmhurst hit the ground running in his first term as clerk of one of the busiest court systems in the state. He implemented numerous initiatives, many of them to improve speed and efficiency of the court system to the general public. Improvements include electronic filing of court papers and allowing for the online filing of protection orders, a process that replaces a long and complicated form. He also has succeeded, through contracting with outside agencies, in collecting more than $6 million in unpaid fines and other debt. A Republican, Kachiroubas is endorsed. His challenger, Democrat Stan Jagla, argues that he needs to be elected to provide oversight to "abuses of power" by the Republicans who run the county. We find this argument somewhat tired and largely unfounded.
DuPage County recorder
It's one of the least glamorous offices in county government, but the recorder is responsible for keeping track of all county land documents, about $65 billion worth. The office also takes in $15 million annually through various fees imposed on real estate transactions. Republican incumbent Fred Bucholz is seeking his second term, but is well familiar with the office having served two decades as deputy recorder. In that time he overseen the complete automation of the office and has worked hard to address a main concern of the office in today's world: identity theft and mortgage fraud. His work has extended beyond DuPage, too, as he works on a system to standardize electronic delivery of documents throughout all 102 counties in Illinois. Bucholz makes a strong case for his re-election and is endorsed. His Democratic challenger, David Meek, a business consultant, is a thoughtful candidate who suggests a study on whether the recorder's office staff can be pared or reallocated, given the big drop-off in land transactions in the slowing economy. It is a good point that should be given its due by the current administration.
Forest Preserve board - District 1
Marsha Murphy of Addison is completing her first term as a commissioner for District 1, which includes much of northeastern DuPage. She is an enthusiastic commissioner with a love of open space and the need to protect it for future generations. Her priority, though, is keeping the forest preserve district's budget balanced, something all government officials should be mindful of these days. Murphy, a Republican, is endorsed, as her opponent, Democrat Michael Braun, also of Addison, seems a little hazy on what he'd like to accomplish with the district.
Forest Preserve board - District 5
The owner of an Aurora horticulture business, Republican Carl Schultz of Aurora notes that he is the only commissioner with a natural resources background. He points out that this prompted him to call for a "best science" approach in acquiring and caring for the forest preserve's assets. Most notably, this resulted in the district taking a "landscape view" of the West Branch of the DuPage River, which, through ongoing clean up and restorative work, will result in a cleaner river. Anyone who has lived in DuPage for a while knows of the great comeback the river has made. The forest preserve - and Schultz - have been a big part of that, and Schultz earns our endorsement for a seat in District 5, which covers southwestern DuPage. Democrat Steve Paglia of Naperville, the challenger and a high school teacher, has a nice background in wildlife management and biology and ecology and biology. His work in the public and private sectors would be a plus, and we encourage him to stay involved and interested in the forest preserve district.