Karin Herwick: 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: North AuroraWebsite: http://karinherwick.comOffice sought: Kane Clerk of the Circuit CourtAge: 43Family: Married, one son.Occupation: Management/Administrator Local GovernmentEducation: Bachelor of Social Work, Aurora University, 1990Civic involvement: Parent volunteer at my son's kindergarten assisting with teachers class prepatory needs so that her time is maximized in planning and teaching the curriculum. I volunteer several times per year.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Online record access and other customer services provided to the public, bench and bar will be improved in a cost effective manner.Key Issue 2 Office restructure will continue to be an integral part of running an efficient office with a mindset for constant improvement.With technology, the office provides access to records and court file information more quickly to customers, and in automated processes, information is delivered instantly.I find these improvements help our bottom line and intend to continue making advancements.Key Issue 3 The office needs to transition from currently being a paper based operation to paper on demand, with or without a new case management system (CMS).This entails reengineering all manual business processes to electonic business solutions.Questions Answers Do you believe the county court system needs a computer system upgrade that might cost as much as $12.6 million? If so, do you support using RTA sales tax money to fund the cost, or do you have a different plan? If not, what is your alternative plan?I believe that integration of data is needed so that data can be shared to reduce duplication of work and provide less margin for error and easier access to the records.After careful analysis if the best business solution is to replace the current system than the option should be looked at and business plans put in place to ensure any investment made is a solid solution and good use of taxpayor money. It is ultimately the County Boards decision on where the funding will come from to purchase the system if that is the best overall solution for the citizens of Kane County. The RTA tax is a source of funding that can be applied to this project and doesn't cause an additional tax to be placed on the tax payers.As Circuit Clerk I am willing to meet with the Chief Judge, County Board Chair or appointed Technology Commission to discuss use of special funds within the Circuit Clerk's authority that may legally be used to help with the cost of the system and maintenance.How do you resolve the ongoing debate over the county board setting budgets for departments run by other elected officials whom the county board has no control over? How should the county board enforce the budgets it sets'It needs to be a joint effort of both the County Board and Elected Officials. This can be improved when both understand their roles andresponsibilities with regard to each other. Working together with effective communication to understand the statutory requirements of the offices is also key.When offices are adequately funded to fulfill the statutory responsibilities that they are elected to do all departmentsand offices should operate within the allocated budgets.Do you believe the county board members and chairman should receive health insurance and pension benefits'Health insurance should be earned at the same rate that every other county employee earns benefits.A minimum of 21 hours per week should be worked to qualify.If full-time hours are not worked then as a part-time official the full premium for all plans for coverage should apply.A county board members annual salary is comparable to a beginning wage for a deputy clerk in the Circuit Clerk's Office who must work 37 1/2 hours per week to be entitled to benefits.Pension should be earned as any other county employee earns it.Employees hired after 1/1/11 must work for the county for 10 years before they are vested.Prior to this date employees had to work for the county for 8 years before being vested. If part time then the required number of hours per year should be worked to earn pension.Do you support a more stringent ethics ordinance for Kane County governing the conduct of elected officials and county employees' Why or why not? If so, what should the ordinance contain?I support a ethics ordinance.The Circuit Clerk is not subject to the County ordinance but follows the State regulations for Code of Ethics and has a policy of Code ofEthics within the Circuit Clerk's Office to be followed by all employees.