Endorsement: Shapiro over Brown for Cook court clerk
In the race for clerk of the Cook County circuit court, there is much to like about the administration of incumbent Dorothy Brown, a Democrat from Chicago. She has overseen the implementation of an electronic records management system and has worked to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the office. However, until Brown stops soliciting and accepting campaign contributions from her staff and eliminates some of the unneeded perks of her position, we’re unfortunately compelled to refrain from endorsing her. Our endorsement instead goes to Republican Diane S. Shapiro of Chicago, who is making her second run for the office. A retired Cook County adult probation officer, she calls for a forensic audit of the circuit court clerk office as a way to further curtail spending without reducing service. She has vowed “never to accept a penny” from a vendor doing business with the county and has promised to donate a portion of her salary back to the county. While short on the experience Brown brings to the job, Shapiro’s enthusiasm is commendable.