Walter Adamczyk

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running? 

I’m running for Illinois Secretary of State because our state’s largest service agency needs real reform — not business as usual. I want to restore integrity, professionalism, and fairness to an office that affects every Illinoisan every day, from driver’s licenses to voting access and business filings. I believe the Secretary of State’s office should serve the people of Illinois — not political insiders or well-connected elites. I’m running to cut bureaucracy, improve DMV service, strengthen voter access and system integrity, and bring transparent service back to the people. Most importantly, I will honor our veterans with free Illinois state IDs and driver’s licenses and ensure walk-in service with express lanes at facilities so they’re treated with the respect and efficiency they’ve earned.

What skills or experience do you have that make you particularly suited to this position?

I bring real-world experience in party leadership, organization, and public service, not career politics. I was elected twice as 29th Ward Republican Committeeman, where I worked to build grassroots engagement, manage election operations, and represent voters honestly and transparently.

Professionally, I understand how large systems need to function efficiently, fairly, and with accountability — exactly what’s required to run the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, the state’s largest public-facing agency. I know how to cut through bureaucracy, improve customer service, and demand professionalism at every level.

Most importantly, I’m not beholden to insiders. I’m focused on service, integrity, and results — making sure every Illinoisan, especially veterans and working families, is treated with respect and efficiency when they interact with their government.

What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?  

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office does some things well. The scope of services is broad, the staff works hard under pressure, and many everyday transactions do get completed despite outdated systems and long lines. That dedication should be respected.

But what clearly needs fixing is efficiency, transparency, and customer service. Too many Illinoisans experience long wait times, confusing procedures, inconsistent rules between facilities, and a lack of accountability. The office relies on outdated technology and excessive bureaucracy, which slows everything down and frustrates working families.

We need to modernize operations, improve recordkeeping, expand walk-in and express services, and make the office work like a service agency — not a maze. Veterans, seniors, and taxpayers deserve a Secretary of State’s office that is professional, responsive, and focused on serving people, not protecting the status quo.

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

The most pressing issue facing Illinois residents is a lack of trust and efficiency in basic government services. For too many people, something as simple as renewing a license, registering a vehicle, or getting accurate information turns into hours of waiting, confusion, and frustration. That hurts working families, seniors, small businesses, and especially veterans.

I plan to address this by modernizing the Secretary of State’s office from the ground up — upgrading technology, streamlining procedures, and holding the system accountable to clear service standards. I will expand walk-in access, create express lanes for veterans and seniors, and make sure services are consistent and transparent across all facilities.

Government should work for the people, not the other way around. My goal is to restore confidence, professionalism, and respect to an office every Illinoisan relies on.

Is there a major policy initiative or financial issue you will look to tackle in the next year? 

Yes — my top policy priority is modernizing and financially reforming the Secretary of State’s office so it delivers better service without asking taxpayers for more. Right now, outdated systems and inefficiencies cost Illinois residents time and money. That’s unacceptable.

In the next year, I will push for a full operational and financial audit of the office, followed by targeted investments in modern technology that reduce long-term costs, cut wait times, and eliminate redundant processes. Modernization should save money, not waste it.

I will also prioritize veterans’ service reforms, including free state IDs and driver’s licenses for honorably discharged veterans and guaranteed express service. These are practical, affordable initiatives that show respect while improving how the entire system functions.

My focus is simple: spend smarter, serve better, and restore accountability.

If you are elected, what would the end of a successful four-year term look like for you?    

At the end of a successful four-year term, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office would be efficient, accountable, and trusted by the people it serves. Long wait times and bureaucratic confusion would be gone, walk-in and express services would be the norm, and technology would make interactions smooth and reliable.

Veterans, seniors, and working families would feel respected and prioritized, and the office would operate with transparency, professionalism, and integrity. I want every Illinoisan to say: ‘Finally, government works for me, not the other way around.’ That’s the standard I aim to leave behind.

What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive?

Accessibility and responsiveness start with people-first policies and modern systems. First, I would expand walk-in service hours and create express lanes for veterans, seniors, and working families so no one is stuck waiting for hours.

Second, I would modernize technology across all facilities — online scheduling, digital forms, and updated recordkeeping — so residents can get what they need quickly and reliably.

Third, I would hold every level of the office accountable for customer service, with clear performance standards and public reporting so the public knows the office is delivering.

Finally, I would ensure direct communication channels — hotlines, emails, and community engagement — so residents can report problems and get solutions fast. My goal is simple: every Illinoisan should feel heard, helped, and respected whenever they interact with the Secretary of State’s office.