Robin O'Connor: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: LibertyvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County Clerk Age: 62Family: Married Four childrenOccupation: TeacherEducation: EdS Administration Education, Northern Ill University Ãcirc;#144; DeKalb, IL (EdD pending on completion of dissertation) M.S. Administration Education, Northern Ill University Ãcirc;#144; DeKalb, IL B.S. Physical Education, University of Ill Ãcirc;#144; Urbana, ILCivic involvement: Libertyville Township Trustee - three terms (12 years) Libertyville Days Committee Past Scout Leader (Boy and Girl Scouts) School Fund Raiser ChairElected offices held: Lake County Area Representative - Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (IL-ASCD) Secretary and Treasurer - Lake County Curriculum Resource Council (LCCRC) Secretary - Delta Kappa Gamma - Alpha Nu Chapter (international Society for Women Educators) Member and Representative Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA)Questions Answers Regardless of whether this is a problem, what can the clerk do to reduce harassment, especially sexual harassment against women, in the office? Are new policies needed?The Lake County Clerk and the Clerk's Office shall uphold the rights of women to be safe and protected. Current legal polices of fair and equal treatment will be reviewed, and recommendations if needed will be introduced.Do you believe same-sex couples should be able to marry? Regardless of that personal belief, will you support the legal right of same-sex couples to marry if elected?I believe that same-sex couples should be able to marry. Yes, I will support the legal rights of same-sex couples to marry if I am elected.How will you ensure the security of ballots and guard against hacking efforts?It is important to preserve the integrity of the election process. Promoting latest technology with attention to cyber security is essential. It is crucial to not only acquire proper resources, but also align action plans.Are there additional measures the county should take to allow for fair and equal access to voting for all residents?The county needs to continue to seek additional methods for increasing voter registration and opportunities for voting. For example, let's look at hours available to vote during the early voting time period. How is the county accommodating voting options during this window of time? How is this information advertised? With the busy lifestyles of Lake County residents, I believe we should extend available voting hours in more locations. We need to continually ask the question: how can we increase citizens' opportunities to register and to vote?What are your thoughts on consolidating the county clerk's and recorder's offices? How would this benefit/hurt the county?Research needs to be conducted first on the fiscal implications, as well as effects on service for Lake County citizens if these two offices were to be consolidated. Meaningful change occurs when vision as well as resources and thoughtful planning unite. Progressive thinking is always welcome.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I will regularly evaluate the County Clerk Office system of maintaining, as well as retrieval of records. In today's age of electronic advancement, services continually can be streamlined with increased efficiency.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Dr. David Shernoff, my dissertation chair, taught me how to be a collaborative manager/leader. University of Chicago's motivational research inspired me to pursue leadership roles.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Although I am a thirty-five year Lake County resident, growing up in Evanston, a diverse community, taught me to appreciate many cultures.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend it on time. Sadly, my mother died at an early age. I would have spent more time with my sweet loving mother.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved to write. Becoming a good writer is a life long process. It is a valued skill one continually learns. Words are powerful.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be empathetic to others. If you have the ability to understand and share feelings of another, you will view life with a varied perspective.