COOK COUNTY CLERK MONICA GORDON ENVISIONS A MORE EFFICIENT CLERK’S OFFICE

Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon
Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon

COOK COUNTY CLERK MONICA GORDON ENVISIONS A MORE EFFICIENT CLERK’S OFFICE

 

By Tia Carol Jones

Monica Gordon has been the Cook County Clerk since December of 2024. When Gordon first took office, she assembled a transition team, which consisted of a cross section of business, labor and civic leaders, not just across Cook County, but from across the country. Gordon wanted those leaders to help develop a blueprint on how to make the office more streamlined and implement things that would make it easier for the constituents.

The Cook County Clerk’s office handles birth, death and marriage records, as well as deeds, and elections for the Suburbs. The office also handles Veterans’ Affairs, tax redemptions and property after death forums, which helps people with estate planning. Gordon said the property after death forums have become increasingly popular among the constituents in Cook County.

“We’re out there all over the County, making sure people know all about our services,” Gordon said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, Gordon and the Cook County Clerk’s Office launched a new Vital Records appointment system at the Cook County Circuit Court House in Markham. The goal of the appointment system is to reduce wait times for people living in the South Suburbs who want official copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage license and other vital records.

“This appointment system is not just about reducing wait times, it’s about delivering to the community to make the Clerk’s Office more efficient and customer-friendly,” Gordon said in a release. “We are committed to continuous improvements to ensure every resident receives timely and respectful service.”

The appointment system is just one way Gordon is making the office her own and developing more efficient ways for the Cook County Clerk’s office to serve its constituents. The clerk’s office has also implemented pocket talk devices, translation devices that can translate more than 90 languages and dialects. She said it has been extremely helpful. The office also has the smart ballot box, which ensures that voting is more secure, transparent and accessible.

Gordon said her vision for the Cook County Clerk’s office is for it to be an office that works for everyone. She said she wants all the constituents in Cook County to feel protected and have access to vital services, and know that their information is safeguarded.

“We know that there is so much going on, in terms of hackers, they are hackers that try to get into systems. We take cybersecurity seriously,” she said. She added that the clerk’s office will do everything they can to prevent hackers from getting people’s information.

Gordon said the Cook County Clerk’s office has created a new position – deputy clerk of diversity, equity and inclusion. She said the role is aimed at ensuring everyone feels they are being treated with respect and has access to all the services of the clerk’s office. She said she envisions the clerk’s office working for everyone and wants the entire county to know the services that are available at the office. She said she has been all around the county and across the country building relationships.

Gordon said she never imagined herself being the Cook County Clerk. As someone who is an advocate, and loves legislation and the legislative process, this was a role that built upon her other experiences and enabled her to continue to help the residents of Cook County. She said she is continuing to work on getting a Level II trauma center in the Southland. She said it will take state and federal help for it to happen.

For more information about the Cook County Clerk’s office, visit www.cookcountyclerkil.gov.

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