Diane Shapiro: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: ChicagoWebsite: https://CitizensForDianeShapiro.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Age: 59Family: Father, Lester, deceased. Mother Gail, nee Pitluk. Sisters Sharon and MauraOccupation: RetiredEducation: Bachelor of Science in General Education, Northwestern UniversityMaster of Arts in Communication, University of Illinois at ChicagoCertification in Addictions Counseling, Chicago City CollegesGraduate of Mather High SchoolMollie Goodman Academic High School, Ashkelon, Israel (Junior Year)Civic involvement: I am a member of numerous civic, fraternal and community organizations and am the Director of Safety and Education for ABATE of Illinois (motorcycle rights lobbying organization), Chicago Chapter, the League of Women Voters and serve on the Law/Justice advisory committee, Illinois Policy Institute, Past President of International Police Association- Region 4, Chicago, Past Secretary of Italian-American Police Association, Buena Park Neighbors Association, Heartland Institute, Chicago Republican Women's Network (CRWN) National Rifle Association (NRA), lliinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), member of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 (The Untouchables)Elected offices held: 46th Ward Republican Committeeman (3rd term)Past President, International Police Association Region 4, Chicago. Past Secretary, Italian American Police Association. Currently Director of Safety and Education, ABATE of Illinois, Chicago Chapter.Questions Answers If you expect to ask for an increase in appropriations during the next four years, what areas would you want to put more money into?The greatest investment priority will be in modernization of the computerized system in full compliance with United States District Court General Orders 09-014, issued by Judge James Holderman on June 5, 2009 and 14-0024 issued by Judge Ruben Castillo on October 24, 2014. I will also put money into the proper protection and preservation of all court files as directed by state statutes to guarantee that no file ever is missing or misfiled, no contents thereof are removed and the integrity of every court activity will be accurately recorded.List any relations (including those related to you by marriage, and nieces/nephews) who are on the public payroll in Illinois, their jobs and who they work for.My sister Sharon is an attorney and a specialist in child support law/ family law issues. She is currently employed by the Department of Human Services/Public Aid.My sister Maura is also an attorney and a hearing officer employed by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Both have respectfully requested that their identities be withheld due to their employment status.How can the flow of cases through the Cook County court system be speeded up?The solution to this would be simple with modernized technology and the immediate implementation of "Rocket Docket". This could and should have been done years ago.Compared to some collar counties, the Cook County court system is antiquated in terms of online access to case files. What do you intend to do about that?I plan to install a 21st Century modernized system which will allow for day of filing imaging, the ability to pay costs, fees etc. from remote locations/terminals, file motions and briefs from lawyers'offices and search court cases online without having to come to any courthouse. I also plan to make certain that every file stored in the warehouse is preserved, protected and under 24 hour surveillance. I know from having worked in the courts for over 30 years and actually using the "computerized" system that it could and should have been replaced 10 years ago.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?I am in my third term as the Republican Committeeman of the 46th Ward. I was elected as President of International Police Association for 3 terms (2001-2010. I was first appointed and then elected as Secretary of Italian American Police Association from 2010-2016. I am currently the elected Director of Safety and Education of ABATE of Illinois, Chicago Chapter.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Ending pay-to-play politics, restoring honor, dignity and respect to the court system. No elected official should be allowed to receive more than one pension. If I am elected I will take an oath never to request monies for any reason, from any employee or contractor. Hiring friends and family is a practice which should be prohibited unless that friend or family member is beyond a reasonable doubt the most qualified person for the position. Every available job will be first offered to a military veteran who deserves employment in exchange for honorable service to our country.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Charlotte Thompson Iserbyt, a great leader in education.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe, often quoted by my late father.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend it on more world travel to add to my body of knowledge, languages and experiences to share with others.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was my favorite subject, and every lesson I learned has been relevant to how I live my life and perform in the world.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You have only one life, so make it matter and leave an honorable legacy.