Endorsement: Cunningham for Kane County clerk, GOP

Incumbent Republican John "Jack" Cunningham is beginning his 16th year as Kane County clerk and he's the first to admit he's not perfect. He's made mistakes. Even a few doozies. If the race were based solely on missteps, Cunningham would have a tough road to travel. But successes are also important, and they're what separate him in this race.

Cunningham took office Dec. 1, 2002. He did an outstanding job in his first two terms to automate records and make them accessible. In the last several years, he's done well with voter registration, educating the public on the modernization of voting equipment, early voting accommodations and the "Votemobile."

Cunningham, a lawyer, once used county email to conduct campaign business and he was in charge when there was a levy extension snafu. He was not prosecuted for violating state election law because there was a lack of criminal intent, according to the person in charge of the investigation. "I screwed up and I did it, and have no defense for it," Cunningham said.

Challenger Stanton "Stan" Bond, who used to work for Cunningham in the clerk's office, says it's time for a change. An Illinois Republican State Central Committeeman, Montgomery village trustee and employee of the circuit clerk's office, Bond says Cunningham's lapses "tear a little bit at the fabric of the public trust of the office."

"I make mistakes, but I'm accountable for my mistakes," Cunningham says.

While the county budget causes consternation among some on the county board and elected officeholders, Cunningham is not among them. He's known for fiscal responsibility to the point of being under budget. If the Aurora Election Commission is abolished, the clerk's office will take over responsibilities. Cunningham says his office can handle that and do so for less money.

Cunningham is endorsed.