Stukel, Cross focus on spending cuts, technology in Will County recorder race

JOLIET – The current Will County recorder of deeds and a former recorder’s office employee are both hoping to be elected to the position Nov. 8.

Incumbent Karen Stukel, D-Channahon, has served as recorder for the past eight years. Her challenger, Kristin Cross, R-Joliet, held a management role in the office for nine years and now works as a real estate broker.

Stukel in a candidate questionnaire for Shaw Media cited the things she has achieved in her previous two terms, including cutting unnecessary spending and staff; introducing a property fraud alert program; implementing an electronic land records system; and starting a disaster recovery program that backs up all land records.

“Since taking office in 2008, I have made significant changes,” Stukel stated in the questionnaire, noting she also is in the process of putting in place a program for local veterans.

Should Cross be elected, she has changes in mind, too. Cross stated, also in the Shaw Media questionnaire, that her priorities include seeking bids for a more fiscally responsible online recording system; opening a satellite recorder’s office in southeast Will County; re-establishing a full-service satellite office in Bolingbrook; and cross-training recorder’s office staff on all aspects of daily operations.

“I bring a leadership skill set, which is built on sound principles of fiscal responsibility, free-market competition, of real-world real estate experience and the complete understanding that the major economic engine of Will County is real estate,” Cross stated in the questionnaire.