Endorsement: Kachiroubas for DuPage circuit court clerk
Incumbent Republican Chris Kachiroubas of Elmhurst says he has unfinished business as DuPage County clerk of the circuit court, such as streamlining traffic court check-in through use of computers.
That's impressive, considering the list of upgrades made while he's been in office. They include allowing residents to file online for orders of protection and pay some traffic fines electronically. He developed an electronic citation program that allows faster completion of forms by police during traffic stops. His office also was first in the state to require electronic filing of all civil documents.
Kachiroubas also has embraced that technology efficiently. Since his election in 2004, his staffing has decreased almost 15 percent while his budget has increased just 3 percent. He also says 80 percent of his staff is cross-trained to step into other roles within the circuit clerk's office.
The Democratic challenger, Christopher English, a retired architect from Darien, is thoughtful and well-meaning, but Kachiroubas is a clear choice for voters.