Iris Y. Martinez: Candidate profile

Bio

Party: Democrat

City: Chicago

Office sought: Cook County circuit court clerk

Age: 63

Family: Single mom of one daughter

Occupation: State senator.

Education: Bachelor's Degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Public Policy and Administration

Civic involvement: Numerous state and local organizations

Elected offices held: State senator since 2003.

Incumbent? If yes, when were first elected: No.

Website: www.irisforclerk.com

Twitter: @irisforclerk

Facebook: Friends of Iris Y. Martinez

Questions and Answers

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

Since 2003, I am the Illinois state senator for the 20th District, but I spent most of my adult life fighting for and helping people, fighting for working families and breaking barriers for women and people of color.

I will implement a Cook County circuit court Clerk's Model Code of Conduct that not only bans political contributions from employees and vendors doing business at the Cook County circuit court Clerk's Office, but also with Cook County; and creates high standards of conduct to enhance public confidence and preserve the integrity of the judicial system.

The Cook County circuit court Clerk's Office needs more than the modernization of its technology; the Office needs modernization and reform of its culture so it is easier for the citizens to interact with the court system. For example, the Office should allow payment of court costs via online or by mail. It is unacceptable that people take off work or the less fortunate spend money to travel to the Office to pay their court costs.

Also, the clerk should seek a statutory change to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to include the office as a public body and thus subject to the Freedom of Information Act. It is my experience that Sunlight and Transparency go a long way in changing the culture of a public office.

Each clerk's office fund and its departments need to undergo performance and operational audits to determine if the departments are operating efficiently and how the funds could be better used to identify the necessary technology for making the operations of the Office better for the public.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I will end the neglect, mismanagement, and corruption that has plagued the Cook County circuit court Clerk's Office for decades and help usher in a new era rooted in government reforms. I'll bring that same passion, dedication, and ability to produce results to the Cook County circuit court Clerk's Office. A top priority is changing the culture at the Office and undertaking performance and operational audits to determine if the departments are operating efficiently and how the funds could be better used to identify the necessary technology for making the operations of the Office better for the public. Budget restraints are not the problem.

3. Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the clerk of the circuit court's office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expense or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?

Operational audits are key to determining the proper allocation of personnel and capital resources. The front-line staff have lacked direction from leadership and need proper direction to better assist the people visiting the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

4. Name one concrete program you'll create or personnel move you'll make to improve efficiency in the office or make it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome any obstacles to initiating it.

Review past decisions and actions related to the modernization of the Office. The rollout of the new technology clearly lacked the necessary and critical review to ensure proper performance. I will immediately bring the vendor and the Office staff involved together to find ways to make the technology work better. The management of case files is important for the citizens of Cook County.

5. Describe your position on transparency in the office and the ease of access to records by the public. If you believe improvements are needed, what are they and how would you go about achieving them?

It is my experience that sunlight and transparency go a long way in changing the culture of a public office. As a state senator, I will seek a statutory change to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to include the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County as a public body and thus subject to the Freedom of Information Act.