Des Plaines clerk candidates weigh in on part-time job

It may be a part-time job paying $6,000 yearly, but two of the three candidates who want to be the next Des Plaines city clerk believe the position should be made full time and come with a higher salary.

However, none of the candidates looking to replace incumbent Des Plaines City Clerk Donna McAllister say they would actively lobby for that to happen in the current economic climate.

McAllister, the city's longest serving clerk, made $60,000 yearly. She must leave office after 27 years because of term limits adopted by referendum in 1998 restricting elected officials to two consecutive terms.

During last year's budget cuts, the clerk's salary and hours were slashed. Responsibility for some of the current duties will be transferred to the city manager's office

Candidate Jennifer Tsalapatanis said being the city's official record keeper is a vital job that requires a full-time commitment, at least during the transition period.

"That's what I plan to give to the office," said Tsalapatanis, 35, a graduate of Maine West High School who owns a custom home building and land development company. "This is almost a career path in life. This is a profession."

Tsalapatanis said since business is slow in the housing market, she could devote all her time to being city clerk. She's the daughter of 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, who is leaving because of term limits, and Jim Brookman, one of three candidates vying for the 5th Ward seat on April 7.

Her challengers Gloria Ludwig, 56, and Patrice McDonough, 42, both of whom work part time, say they would dedicate as much time as needed to perform the clerk's duties.

"My job is very flexible," said McDonough, who works 20 hours a week at Costco. "I also plan on being clerk full time."

McDonough previously ran for 6th Ward Alderman and took out a nominating packet for mayor before filing to run for clerk.

"I really wanted to go for city clerk where I can open myself more to the whole community, broaden our services that we offer right now," McDonough said.

Ludwig, an independent hair stylist who worked as full-time deputy village clerk in Hanover Park from 1971 to 1976, said she's "done just about everything that's there."

"I've had the experience working for municipal government," Ludwig said. "Working in the city clerk's office, I don't envision it being part time."

The city clerk currently is responsible for preparing city council meeting agendas and packets, recording minutes, issuing public notices, handling public relations for the city and voter registration.

The candidates pledged to maintain the clerk's current office hours, but also said it's too early to say what functions of the office would be eliminated due to part-time hours. They agreed the clerk's duties need to be re-evaluated while maintaining current services.

The candidates also don't support changing the city clerk from an elected position to an appointed one, something McAllister sought to do though a referendum after term limits were imposed.