Broncato, Trotter face off in Grundy County Circuit Clerk primary for Republicans

The Republican primary election March 15 for Grundy County Circuit Clerk is a battle between a veteran of the clerk’s office and a veteran of both public and private offices.

Karen Broncato of Coal City and Corri Trotter of Morris are competing to fill the seat of four-term Grundy County Circuit Clerk Karen Slattery, who announced in August 2015 she would not run for re-election after 16 years in the position.

Broncato, the current chief deputy circuit clerk, immediately announced her intention to run for the seat. A few days later, Trotter – the principal’s secretary at Morris Community High School – announced her intention to run. The winner will face in the November general election Joan Harrop of Morris, who filed as the only Democratic candidate.

When campaigning to voters, Broncato said she’s shared her experience in the clerk’s office as the biggest reason one should vote for her. Broncato was hired by former Circuit Clerk Rose Marie Bell in 1994 and put in charge of child support, where she recorded and annually distributed millions of dollars. Since then, she’s learned the Circuit Clerk’s Office inside and out.

“In 20 years, I can’t say there’s a position I haven’t been trained in,” Broncato said.

Because she has been chief deputy circuit clerk for 15 years, Broncato said she has managed the office whenever Slattery was unable to and has communicated with everyone from pro-se litigants to the most experienced attorneys.

Although Trotter has not worked for a court system, she has shared with voters her experience in many different settings. She served as office manager for her family's small business, totaling 10-plus years of experience in customer relations and accounting for a multimillion-dollar budget. She's managed and kept schedule for nearly 50 employees including payroll, union reporting and all company billing and payables. She also founded and leads the Morris-area chapter of Turn The Towns Teal Inc, a nonprofit charity.

Trotter said if elected, she expected a short learning curve, but believes the office would be served better in the long run with a fresh set of eyes.

Though their backgrounds differ, a main point of both candidates’ campaigns has been the need to upgrade the circuit court’s technology. On Jan. 1, 2018, electronic filing will become mandatory in all Illinois circuit courts. Currently, 15 of 102 counties in Illinois do electronic filing, Broncato said.

On Grundy County's judici site, summaries and dates are accessible, but actual court documents are not. Broncato said the court's relationship with its vendor, www.judici.com, is strong and expects to complete e-filing upgrades before the state's mandate. She's also considering other vendors and will seek to make the transition smooth and at the least cost to taxpayers.

Trotter said one of her main priorities is to use technology to create a seamless connection between the courts and those utilizing the courts, noting that neighboring counties use more technology.

Additionally, Trotter has experience overseeing a technological transition. Prior to the 2015-16 school year, Morris High School implemented online student registration.

“We got everything in line, communicated it well and implemented it,” Trotter said. “It’s a great learning experience that I can apply to the Circuit Clerk’s office.”

Away from work, Trotter is a lifelong resident of Morris who graduated from Morris Community High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. She and her husband, Dave, have two daughters.

Broncato is a lifelong resident of Grundy County and graduated from Morris Community High School. She and her husband, John, have lived in Coal City for the past 27 years where they raised three daughters. She is a grandmother to four grandchildren.

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KAREN BRONCATO

Age: 53

Family: Husband John, three daughters, four grandchildren

Education: Attended Joliet Junior College

Political experience: None

Career: Grundy County Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk

CORRI TROTTER

Age: 44

Family: Husband Dave, two daughters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Eastern Illinois University

Political experience: None

Career: Principal’s secretary at Morris Community High School