Cynthia Pruim Haran: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Round LakeWebsite: http://www.cynthiaforclerk.comOffice sought: Lake Clerk of the Circuit CourtAge: 41Family: Married to Michael Haran 40, Firefighter/Paramedic Children: Connor 17 Claire 4 Michael 3Occupation: Current:Attorney-Principal Assistant Public Defender,Lake County Public Defender's Office Former Real Estate Tax Attorney for Klafter and Burke Former Office Manager and Business Manager for Klafter and Burke, Former Senior Manager with Hilton HotelsEducation: Bachelor of Arts Loyola Unviersity Chicago 1992(Full Athletic Scholarship) J.D. Chicago Kent College of Law 2001Civic involvement: Volunteer Basketball Coach Board Member for Avon Township Foundation(Food Pantry) Lake County Bar Association Association of Women Attorney's of Lake County(former Board Member)Elected offices held: N/AHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Modernization of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The first step towards modernization is online access. Similarly, the internal workings of the office(including, but not limited to, the internal computer system "CRIMS") are in desperate need of an overhaul. Lake County's Circuit Court Clerk's office is lagging so far behind others, such as Cook County, Winnebago County, DuPage County, Logan County and Kenosha County in Wisconsin, to name just a few. It is time we MODERNIZE and allow the taxpayers easier access to the judcial system while improving efficiency and transparency in the office.Key Issue 2 Revitalization of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office: specifically, breathing new life into an outdated office that has been run by the same regime for 30+ years. While we are all in agreement that the Computer System and lack of on-line access make ours an antiquated clerk's office, there are so many other areas that must be reviewed, refreshed and revitatlized. Internal procedures and procedures for dealing with the public and Bar should be reviewed and updated as well. The entire office is in desparate need of an overhaul with a fresh, open mind at improvement and transparency.Key Issue 3 Energizing the Circuit Clerk's Office. We live in a world of contant, instant communication with a focus on vitality and exuberance. And yet, as the third largest county in Illinois, our Circuit Court Clerk's office is "dusty". In addition to modernizing the "hardware" of the office, I would focus energizing the "heart and soul of the office"- the EMPLOYEES! My goal is to create a positive, energetic staff who enjoy serving the needs of our clients with accuracy and enthusiasm.The employees of the Clerk's office are some of the hardest-working and most dedicated employees one can find. And yet, they struggle to work in an environment of fear and desparation. A clerk's office that is geared toward modern communication and has a happy,knowledgeable and energized staff of employees is one that will best serve our public!Questions Answers How can the clerk's office improve public access to court documents and other court information? Be specific.Simply Stated: ON LINE ACCESS! Under Illinois law, there are statutory guidelines that must be adhered to in order to allow access to court documents. As stated above, we are sorely lagging in this area! Smaller counties allow on-line access, why doesn't Lake County? Because the current administration as afraid of the unknown, afraid change, afraid of the future. Electronic filing of documents, on-line payment of fees, on line case management/searches are only a few of the ways in which we would enhance services and streamline efficiency of the office while improving services to the publc!How can the clerk's office best participate in the discussion of construction of new court facilities'As attorneys, we say that the most important person in the courtroom-IS THE CLERK. It is the Clerk that keeps accurate account of what transpires in legal proceedings that affect the very core of peoles' lives. It is the clerk that keeps the court call on schedule and keeps the attorneys informed of courtroom practices.Because of the integral role each clerk and the Clerk's office plays in the daily operations of the court system, input from this office is VITAL in any discussion of new court facilities. We must know the how/where/what/when/why of how they can best do their jobs to ensure accuracy and fluidity of information. We are a busy county and our courthouse is bursting at the seams. Through meetings with all cerk's employees and including a representative of the staff(in addition to management) on any planning committees we could ensure the Clerks' input is received loud and clear.What improvements can be made in the efficiency of operations in the office in light of budget cutbacks' Be specific.As with any organization, one must first review the hierarchy of the office. Is the office top heavy? Are we utilizing the supervisors/chiefs/deputies appropriately? Secondly, one should look at the the overall scheduling of the office. Can efficiency of the clerks be improved through altered schedules and improved morale? While a knee-jerk reaction may be to cut staffing to save money, this does not ensure efficiency.In reviewing how staff members are used in courtrooms and behind the scenes, in addition to modernizing the office, I am sure that efficiency can be enhanced while keeping an eye on budgetary concerns.Outgoing clerk Sally Coffelt has had family members on the payroll. What is your view on hiring relatives and friends' If elected, would you consider having all employees reapply for their jobs' Why or why not?Firstly, I am completely against the continued pattern patronage that has been the rule in the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Secondly, I have absolutely no intention of having empoyees reapply for their jobs! I do not believe that clerks/employees should be punished for being hired by an administration that had become complacent and entitled. Forcing them reapply for their positions, soley because they were somehown related to Ms. Coffelt, would be inherently wrong. I will treat each employee with the respect they deserve and each employee will be reviewed soley upon their performance AT WORK, on the JOB and for NO other reason. Each clerk will be held responsible to maintain a professional work ethic and will be judged upon their ability to work within they system that we create. The hardworking clerks will be provided with an atmosphere where they know that they can work hard and be rewarded and that these rewards, promotions, raises will NOT be doled out according to who hired you, who you are related to who you vote for , or in what policitcal party you vote!Given that the clerk's computer system doesn't allow a visitor to look up a case with just a last name, what should be done to fund a more user-friendly system? How would you make that happen? If not, why not?Court information is highly sensitive. For this very reason, access in controlled by statute. In reviewing the online access offered by so many other counties, it clear that requiring a first name(or other additional identifying information) is the rule, rather than the exception. As an attorney and private citizen, this makes perfect sense. While we want an open flow of communcation, we also want to ensure that people's privacy and identitieses are protected. The current system is not user friendly because it is an out-of-date DOS system that can barely be repaired without incurring outlandish expenses. The system should be replaced. However, without further research, I would not put an end to searches requiring more than a last name.