Robin O'Connor: Candidate Profile
Bio
Name: Robin O'Connor
City: Libertyville
Website: www.robin4clerk.com
Twitter: @Robin4Clerk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Robin4Clerk/
Party: Democrat
Office sought: Lake County Clerk
Age: 63
Family:
Occupation: Teacher: Current: Elementary Suburban and Northwestern University; Former: Administrator, Educational Specialist, Curriculum Director, Teacher
Education: BS University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, MS Administration Education Northern Illinois - DeKalb and EdS Administration Northern Illinois (Candidate for Doctorate EdD Administration Education - Northern Illinois - DeKalb)
Civic involvement: Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club - Fundraiser Chair, Lake County Curriculum Resource Council - Secretary and Treasurer, IL Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development - Lake County Representative, Libertyville Days - Family Events Chair, Girl Scout and Boy Scout - Leader, School District #70 - (Butterfield School) Fund Raising Fair Chair, Lake County Presenter - Literacy with Integrated Arts and Parent University (gratis), Libertyville High School Varsity Water Polo Team Parent, International Society for Key Women Educators - President, District Manager of School Partner Programs: Leaders are Readers, Junior Achievement and Parent University. Church Educator, Gifted Education Parent Association - Director.
Elected offices held: Libertyville Township trustee - 3 terms
Questions & Answers
Question 1: If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?
As the Lake County Clerk, I will prioritize how we can increase citizens' opportunities to register and to vote. Cyber protection of the election process is also a top priority. Ongoing evaluations of the current technological procedures will occur with recommendations for improvement. Annual evaluations of the County Clerk Office system of maintaining, as well as retrieval of records will also be examined. In today's age of electronic advancement, services which the Clerk's office provides continually can be streamlined with increased efficiency.
Question 2: How will you ensure the security of ballots and guard against hacking efforts?
It is important to preserve the integrity of the election process. Promoting latest technology with attention to cyber security is essential. It is crucial that the Clerk not only acquire proper resources, but also align action plans. We must be diligent in pursuing the outmost in cyber security. This is an ongoing process.
Question 3: Some Republican-controlled counties in Georgia and elsewhere in the United States have been closing polling places in poor, majority black communities. Proponents say it reduces election related costs; opponents say it's voter suppression. What do you think?
Would you support such efforts in Lake County? Polling places need to be located geographically aligned with voter accessibility, diversity and opportunity for all economic levels. Polling places and voting options represent the base of our democratic principals, thus placement selections need to be set according to law statute.
Question 4: Are there additional measures the county should take to allow for fair and equal access to voting for all residents?
The County Clerk as a Constitutional Officer should actively continue to seek advanced methods for increasing fair and equal access to voting within the scope of the legal realms of the office.
Question 5: What are your thoughts on consolidating the county clerk's and recorder's offices? How would this benefit/hurt the county?
Research needs to be conducted first on the fiscal implications, as well as effects on services for Lake County citizens if these two offices were to be consolidated. Meaningful change occurs when vision, as well as resources and thoughtful planning unite.