Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Chaplin: 2024 candidate for DuPage County Recorder

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: DuPage County Reporter

City: Downers Grove

Age: 59

Occupation: Elected Official

Previous offices held: DuPage Water Commissioner, DuPage County Board Member

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’m running for DuPage County Recorder because I believe in the power of transparency, efficiency, and accountability in government. The Recorder’s Office is responsible for recording, indexing, and preserving all land documents, mortgages, liens, and military discharge records — vital tasks that require diligent oversight. My experience as an elected official on the DuPage County Board has highlighted the importance of these principles.

I’m motivated to bring a fresh perspective to the Recorder’s Office by modernizing operations, implementing a robust community outreach program, and ensuring that businesses, residents, and other government entities have easy access to services and essential public records. By preserving our history and making information more accessible, we can better serve the people of DuPage County.

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 office and what would your priority be?

If elected, I will bring unmatched knowledge of county government, a deep passion for public service, and a proven record of bold leadership to the Recorder’s Office. As a County Board member, I successfully led the initiative to legalize recreational cannabis in unincorporated DuPage County, overcoming complex challenges and building consensus. This is the decisive, results-driven leadership that the Recorder’s Office urgently needs.

A top priority will be filling the vacant Deputy Recorder position, which has been unoccupied since March. Appointing a qualified individual to this key role is essential to ensure the office operates smoothly and continues to serve the public effectively.

Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the recorder of deeds office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expenses or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?

Efficient resource allocation in the Recorder’s Office is crucial to maintaining high service standards. Recent layoffs of experienced staff have created a gap in institutional knowledge, which could impact the office’s effectiveness.

To address this, I would conduct a thorough reassessment of the staffing structure to ensure that expertise is retained and employees are properly valued. Prioritizing the right personnel is key to maintaining the quality of services our residents rely on.

Additionally, DuPage County’s rich history should be a priority. One of the larger capital needs will be working with an outside vendor to restore and preserve vital historical documents, ensuring they are available for future generations.

A comprehensive budget review will allow us to manage resources strategically, prioritizing both staffing needs and capital improvements without compromising service quality.

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.

The first change I will implement is a all-encompassing social media program to raise public awareness of the Recorder’s Office and its essential services. With limited growth in electronic recordings, the veteran rewards program, and stagnant property fraud signups, it’s evident we need stronger outreach efforts.

To remedy this, I will hire a community outreach director to collaborate with title companies, real estate attorneys, and veterans’ organizations to drive engagement and awareness. My experience as a county board member, where I secured support for a $1 million water connection program and a $45,000 Poised for Success initiative, has equipped me to effectively advocate for additional staffing and the necessary funding.

By increasing our visibility, we can ensure that more businesses, veterans, and residents benefit from these valuable programs and services.

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?

Transparency is one of my top priorities for the Recorder’s Office. Currently, the process of obtaining important documents online is too cumbersome, requiring multiple clicks and often frustrating users. I believe it’s essential to streamline this process to make records more easily searchable and accessible from any device.

To tackle this issue, I will enhance the office’s online platform by working with technology experts to simplify the user interface, allowing residents to find what they need quickly and efficiently. In addition, while the DuPage County budget is already available online, I will make the Recorder’s Office budget more accessible by posting it prominently on our homepage and outside the office. This will give the public greater insight into how we allocate resources.

I am committed to making the Recorder’s Office a model of transparency and accessibility, ensuring that residents can easily access the information they need without unnecessary obstacles.