2020 Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

My name is Mike and I like a challenge

I ask for your vote for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County because I want to bring technology, transparency and talent to the office, while helping make Cook County a more just home.

Let’s take an office stuck in yesterday, bring it into today and get it ready for tomorrow.

I’ve spent my life in public service, serving with distinction.  I’ve worked for two U.S. Senators, clerked for a federal judge, worked as an award-winning federal prosecutor.  I now serve as Commissioner of the Board of Review, where I help homeowners pay only their fair share in property taxes and not a penny more.  I like a challenge, and I’ve shown I can deliver progressive reform.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office needs this transformative change.  The Office is stuck in the 20th century, using carbon paper instead of digital solutions.  Let’s bring the Office into the 21st century and maximize technology to promote best practices, while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Effective  technology can automate processes and open greater access to the courts.  In an age of “e-everything,” the Clerk of the Circuit Court must ensure everyone’s rights are protected. Smart, effective business practices must drive technology reform..

The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office has been plagued with scandals, investigations and convictions.  Public trust and confidence in the courts system are critical to their functioning in society. We will change the culture and the conduct in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office and bring in a new era of justice and credibility.  I’ll recruit new talent and ensure it’s no longer business as usual in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office. And on day one, I will order an independent review of the Office to identify waste and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court must promote fair and accessible justice.  The Circuit Court of Cook County stands as one of the largest unified court systems in the world.  More than 2.4 million cases are filed every year and more than 400 judges serve the 5.1 million residents of Cook County.  Our courthouses must be open to all as a venue for dispute resolution. Special populations - such as the disabled, elderly and those with limited English proficiency - must have full and equal access to the Circuit Court of Cook County. 

With your help, together we can open and transform the people’s courthouses and save your tax dollars in the process.

Let’s get to work.

What is your vision for this office?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office needs transformative change. The office is stuck in the 20th century, using carbon paper instead of digital solutions. There are ways to bring the office into the 21st century and maximize technology to promote best practices, while also saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

When I first became a Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review, taxpayers had to complete a paper form and submit any evidence in hard copy in order to submit a complaint and supporting evidence to the Board.

I helped spur the transformation from a  paper-based processes into a digital enterprise content management system and launched a paperless appeals system that reengineered the appeal review process, saves money in employee overtime and document storage and ultimately provides taxpayers a more efficient, complete and reliable review of their appeals. The system now provides greater transparency for the property owner. All analyst information – notes, evidence, calculations and decisions – are now available online. Many of the issues the incoming Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court must address on day one are problems that I have already overcome in my current elected position.

In an age of “e-everything,” the Clerk of the Circuit Court must ensure everyone’s rights are protected. Smart, effective business practices must drive technology reform and, ultimately, open greater access to the courts.

There’s no question we must update and integrate the e-filing system in the Cook County court system -- from the Chief Judge to probate courts. This will help ensure that everyone interacting with the Cook County courts will have equal access to justice.

We must update the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office’s electronic data system to provide online calendar information and to send text or email reminders of court dates, rather than the current system of mailed postcards.

Digitizing the office will save taxpayer money -- and to prove this, one needs to look no further than the $24 million warehouse recently paid for with taxpayer money to store the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office paper court records. We need to go into this massive storage warehouse and begin the process of digitizing all court files. Document imaging and other digital solutions will result in millions of dollars in savings for the taxpayers of Cook County and help guarantee we no longer build costly new buildings.

The process of digitizing old records may be cumbersome and challenging, but the end result will be easier access to court records, more transparency, and a fairer legal process in Cook County. Over time these system changes will create efficiencies and lead to cost savings.

Integrating new technology into the office should be all-encompassing. The office needs a dedicated Chief Innovation Officer to lead and drive technology development and implementation whenever possible. The office must create collaborative partnerships with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations such as Code for America that will help integrate modern, accessible solutions in the office.

And, perhaps most importantly, we will make the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s website more user friendly and interactive and develop a mobile application with answers to common questions and the option for a live chat. We will develop and expand online tutorials and courthouse tours to feature interviews with judges about how to navigate the courtroom, how to prepare for a courthouse visit, and what to expect as a juror. We will establish teleconference, video, and electronic court appearances and allow for online
dispute resolution, where appropriate.

Modernization is not unfamiliar territory to me. At the Cook County Board of Review I helped develop an award-winning digital appeal review process that offers homeowners a complete and reliable review of their appeals, ultimately saving taxpayer money in employee overtime and document storage. I will bring this experience and commitment to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office.

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?

Currently the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office is stuck in the 20th century in its technology, transparency and talent. This archaic office slows down the justice system for anyone involved with one of the largest unified court systems in the world, while wasting millions of taxpayer’s dollars.

As of January 1st, more than 700,000 records arising from arrest or convictions of non-violent cannabis crimes are eligible for expungement. The Illinois State Police and local law enforcement may expunge the records. However, the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Courts is the official record keeper and more must be done. These are people of all walks of life who will no longer face discrimination when looking for a job due to their background. This process will allow people who have lost their ability to secure student loans, the chance to go back to school and better themselves. But, in order to make these dreams a reality, there is much work to do and the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Courts office will be a more efficient and just office, if we improve it together.

I have already spoken the San Francisco-based non-profit Code for America to partner on a complete record expungement. I will work to ensure the documentation related to the conviction is similarly expunged, for example, arrest photos and law enforcement notes.

It will not be an easy road to travel, there will be speed bumps along the way, but like any challenge I have faced before, I know I will put my heart and soul into this office. I will work everyday to improve it and in doing so improve the lives of the citizens of Cook County. I have radically changed the culture and environment of offices in the past and feel I have made them better. The Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Courts office will be no different, together we can ensure that the office operates equally for everyone, regardless of their income.

We can work together and save millions of taxpayer dollars and instead of spending $24 million on building new warehouses to store paper, we can put that money towards schools and services for those living in Cook County. Together we can improve the lives of all the citizens who live here.

Most importantly, we can better the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents in the County and in doing so make the world a more just place. I promise you that I will continue to pour my heart and soul into the work that I do everyday, all that I ask is that you join me and support me along my journey!