Jeremy ‘Jaye’ Wang: 2024 candidate for DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk

City: Westmont

Age: 51

Occupation: Attorney

Previous offices held:

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?

My parents fled mainland China after World War II to escape communism, arriving in America as impoverished college students. They dedicated their lives to serving their new country, setting a powerful example of giving back to America. I am running to continue to honor my family’s legacy of public service.

Inspired by their commitment, I began my own journey into public service nearly twenty years ago with the police entrance exam, which led me through law school and into a role at the state's attorney's office. Currently serving as president of the elected DuPage County Regional School Board and a commissioned trustee at the Downers Grove Sanitary District, I continue to follow their path of service.

I am motivated to address the rising costs of living and the economic challenges to ensure that our community remains a place of opportunity for all. My goal is to build on the values of freedom and service that my family embraced and work towards effective solutions for our community.

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?

As a challenger, I bring over a decade of experience working in DuPage County courtrooms to the Clerk's office. This extensive background has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the judicial system and the crucial need for effective coordination among its various components.

My top priority is to engage with key stakeholders, including the Chief Judge, the State's Attorney, the Public Defender, the Sheriff, and the Probation Department. On the civil side of legal practice, I have been a member the DuPage County Bar Association for well over a decade.

By actively seeking and incorporating their feedback, I will identify and implement strategies to enhance administrative efficiency within the courthouse. My goal is to ensure that the Clerk's office operates seamlessly and delivers justice with fairness and dignity for all, ultimately improving the overall functionality of the office.

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?

My position on resource allocation is to emphasizes maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. To ensure that personnel are allocated appropriately, I would initiate comprehensive reviews of current staffing and operations. We can identify opportunities to optimize personnel assignments and improve overall productivity. Cross-training employees to handle multiple roles and implementing streamlined processes will help us achieve more with fewer resources, ultimately enhancing service to the taxpayers of DuPage County.

Addressing capital expenses and other budgetary concerns is also crucial. My strategy to address inflation involves exploring cost-saving measures, optimizing resource use, and finding innovative solutions to reduce expenses without compromising service quality.

By carefully managing our budget, we can ensure that the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office remains well-equipped to serve the community effectively while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

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.

To enhance office efficiency, I plan to launch a digital self-help program for self-represented or pro se litigants who cannot afford a civil attorney. Although the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office is not allowed to give legal advice, this “safe-harbor” policy will use technology within legal limits to improve communication and provide information to essential resources, making the court system more accessible and efficient.

Funding will come from reallocating existing resources and applying for technology grants designed to support court operations to meets the needs of our ever growing diverse community.

To address potential challenges, I will prioritize detailed planning and engagement with all the stakeholders. This includes assessing needs, working with technology experts, and securing support from key personnel. My goal is to implement a successful, cost-effective, and sustainable program that boosts overall efficiency in the office.

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?

Maintaining transparency and ensuring public access to records are crucial responsibilities that require continuous improvement. Unfortunately, I believe that progress has become static over the past four years. With the exception of court ordered sealed records, I will focus on advancing our information systems to enhance both transparency and ease of access. This includes updating digital platforms to provide more user-friendly interfaces and ensuring that records are readily accessible to the public.

I will work closely with technology experts and stakeholders to identify and address any gaps in our current system. By implementing these updates and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, I aim to revitalize the office’s progress and ensure that the public can easily access the records they need, upholding the high standards of the DuPage County Circuit Clerk's Office.