Brenda Rodgers: 2024 candidate for Kane County recorder

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Kane County recorder

City: Elgin

Age:

Occupation: Realtor

Previous offices held: Elgin City Council

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

I have been a realtor for over 30 years, and my experience makes me the perfect candidate to lead the Recorder's office. While door-knocking, I am told by many of our residents that they need to be made aware of the services that the office has to offer. For instance, Property Watch was posted on the Recorder's website on March 21, 2016, over seven years ago, but most people I have encountered are unaware. The distant warrant scam was posted on May 10, 2019, over four years ago, but many people are unaware of it. Those elected should spend time educating and listening to those who elected them. We are in a time where our residents need accountability more than comfortability, and I can provide that. My record shows that I have a heart and a desire to inform, help, listen, and empower our residents. Therefore, I urge you to elect Brenda Rodgers as your next Kane County Recorder.

How well has the Recorder of Deeds performed, and what qualifications would you bring to the office?

Aspiring to serve the community with utmost dedication, I aim to spread awareness about our office's functions among the residents and veterans. My outreach programs will ensure that the community is well-informed. With a track record of excellence, I take pride in my commitment to go above and beyond in my service. My degree in Management and Leadership from Judson University and experience as a substitute teacher have honed my skills to provide the best service possible. I can manage an office and run a company with my Managing Brokers license. Over the years, I have served on several boards and commissions in Kane County, and this, combined with being a realtor, has prepared me to work with people from all walks of life. My work and life experience have equipped me with the skills to serve the community as the next Recorder. By entrusting me with this responsibility, you can rest assured that I'm dedicated to serving the community with honesty, integrity, and commitment.

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?

In-office customer service to the residents has been good, but I would like to improve awareness through outreach to the residents. Each time I ran for Kane County Recorder while knocking on doors, most of our residents needed to be made aware of the services offered through the office. The first time I ran, I ran on updating the website, and after the elections, the current recorder updated the website. The second time, I discussed the need for more diversity among the employees, and she hired two people of color. I also spoke about the forms being only in English; after the election, she put the instructional form in Spanish.

Transparency is necessary for government offices, and I will ensure the office is transparent.

Once the residents elect me as the next Kane County Recorder, I will do informational and educational outreach to the residents.

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 have never served an unexpired political term. I served my community as an elected Elgin City Council Member. I have run for the Recorder's office three times. In the most recent Recorder's election, we lost a narrow margin of 6,820 votes countywide. Despite this setback, I am a persistent and determined individual who refuses to give up. As Taylor Swift says, “Shake it Off,” and Maya Angelou famously stated, “Still I Rise.”

Do you see any opportunity or value in merging this office with other county offices to produce efficiencies in overall county spending?

There are 102 counties in Illinois, many of which have merged with their County Clerk's office. The decision of whether or not to merge should be the residents of Kane County. I would support it if they agreed that it would save us money.

What makes you the best candidate to represent your party to seek this position?

I'm proud to be a lifelong Democrat. I've dedicated my time and energy to support the party in various ways, from door-knocking and phone banking to recruiting precinct committee members and volunteering for the party in Kane County and Chicago. I've even had the honor of taking Michelle Obama out to campaign for Barack when he ran for US Senator. My passion for our party runs deep, and I've cast my vote for Democratic candidates more than three times in the last 13 years. I believe my life experiences make me a perfect embodiment of the party's values, and I've stood on the front lines for our cause in areas where few Democrats existed. I'm confident that my unwavering commitment to the party and its principles will inspire others to join us in our fight for a better future.