Clerk’s tantrum doesn’t justify elections ‘blank check’

Thank you to DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek for clearing up how government budgeting is supposed to work: submit whatever number you want with no basis in reality, refuse to meet with or talk to anyone about your demands, resist the county’s financial rules, and then accuse everyone else of “playing games” when the check doesn't come.

Kaczmarek demands another $2.5 million with no backup as to why, and threatens to close polling places unless the DuPage County pays up. “I’ve had 11 flawless elections,” she says. Her office received more money for this election than any other, so why would this election suddenly be in jeopardy?

She refuses to even discuss why she needs the money, calling any discussion a “political stunt.” Nothing says fiscal responsibility like demanding millions in public money while refusing to talk publicly about it. “Just trust me,” is no way to govern.

And why is Kaczmarek lecturing anyone about political games after years of fighting the county over bidding and accounting rules, fights she repeatedly lost in court. Voters grew tired of her antics and rightfully voted her out in the primary.

Nobody is suggesting DuPage elections should be underfunded. Fund every legitimate expense. Protect every voter. Staff the polling places. Buy necessary equipment. But I don’t want to see the county bullied into writing a blank check because the clerk is acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

I applaud Deb Conroy for her measured approach, standing up and making sure Kaczmarek can't threaten election integrity on her way out the door. Stop playing games with the elections, Clerk Kaczmarek. Do your job and work with the county board to make the election run smoothly.

Jack Brady, Naperville