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Name: Lauren Staley-Ferry
Age: 40
Political party: Democratic
Town where you currently reside: Joliet
Marital status: Married
Significant other: Ed – Union Electrician
Children: Matthew (8)
Office sought: Will County clerk
Occupation (employer): Will County Board member (Will County)
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Management (Rasmussen College 2015 with honors)
Elected offices held: Will County Board member (elected 2014); Will County Board minority whip (since 2016)
Website: lauren4clerk.com
Facebook: Lauren Staley-Ferry for Will County Clerk
Twitter: @staleyferry
Email: lauren4countyclerk@gmail.com
Phone (for possible constituents to call): 708-359-1735
1) Why are you running for the elected office you’re seeking?
I am running for Will County Clerk because I am uniquely qualified for the responsibilities of the position. My knowledge and professional experience are directly transferable to the clerk’s office. I’ve had a successful career at a financial institution for the past 11 years, where my focus was data security and project management. During my tenure in the private sector, I was regarded as a process improvement expert.
I have overseen million-dollar technology and compliance projects and managed and trained large teams. My experiences in the private sector prepared me to transition and lead the clerk’s office successfully. Since being on the county board and serving on the finance committee, I have followed through on my commitment to understanding the county’s $550 million budget and the oversight of each department throughout the county. I am also the minority whip, which is a direct result of my leadership skills and my ability to work with both sides of the aisle to get things done. The Will County Clerk’s office needs an individual who knows how to increase efficiency and expand access, while keeping costs down.
2) What skills, qualities or experience do you have that separate you from your opponents?
I am experienced in data security. The skills and experience that I gained working in leadership positions for a Fortune 500 and National Top 10 financial institution apply directly to the duties of the Will County Clerk. In the private sector, my teams were entrusted with the direct management of projects involving data protection and cybersecurity for hundreds of thousands of consumers, clients and employees. I am uniquely prepared to deploy these same security strategies to protect the integrity of our elections as the next Will County Clerk. Furthermore, as a county board member for the past four years, my focus has been on understanding the procedures Will County has adopted to secure the information of our residents and voters. I also have sought input from independent cybersecurity experts regarding new strategies to enhance these protections.
I have held the line on taxes and expenses.During my term on the county board, we have been successful in lowering tax rates and driving down expenses, while implementing major building projects both as a Will County Board member and as a Will County Forest Preserve district commissioner. The Will County Board has lowered the tax rate every year while I have served. At the same time, we paid cash to fund the new Public Safety Complex that houses our sheriff's office and our new state-of-the-art 911 Center. In addition, we are currently building our new courthouse, which is tracking $10 million under budget. And Will County's AA+ bond rating has saved us $30 million in bonding costs. At the same time, the Forest Preserve District will eliminate bond debt this year, which will result in a significant tax bill reduction for our residents. The district achieved this by reducing operating expenses by 5 percent. As county clerk, I will take a similar approach, examining operations and finding ways to reallocate or reduce spending, while improving and enhancing services.
I am currently serving the residents of Will County as an elected official.
I have spent the past four years in local government reaching out, listening and getting to know the people of Will County. The depth of knowledge I possess regarding the county’s current opportunities, challenges and protocols can only be gained by recent public service. Because I have been in the trenches for last four years, I understand the value of what is currently working well and the importance of making improvements that residents are counting on. I have visited with residents and made new friends from Naperville to Braidwood and from Channahon to Crete. My goal has been to understand the needs of every community in order to make the best decisions for all of our constituents. As the Will County clerk, I will continue to be engaged and accessible and work hard to address the needs of the people.
3) What are the greatest challenges facing Will County and/or your specific district in the coming years?
I. Cyber/Election/Data Security:
The sanctity of our elections is a bedrock of American democracy, and we must take that seriously at the local level. We are the first line of defense. We will work to get the greatest amount of people registered, but we also have to give those voters confidence that their vote will be counted without interference if we want our democracy to continue to thrive. My work in the banking industry has given me expert understanding of how to implement security systems to protect information provided by citizens, but there is no room to rest on prior successes. Every minute of every day someone is attempting to hack systems and collect data to use for unethical or illegal purposes. I will collaborate with cybersecurity professionals, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and my fellow elected officials to ensure our systems are secure and that every vote is accurately counted and recorded.
II. Accessibility to the ballot box:
Insufficient voter access in certain communities has created challenges for our entire county. In order for our local government to truly serve the people, every resident must have the opportunity to be heard. We have to ensure that all areas of the county are provided sufficient opportunity and convenience for their residents to vote. In areas where there is consistent concern about accessibility, I will seek to increase the number of early voting locations and expand early voting hours. I will work under the law to make it convenient to vote, no matter where you live in Will County.
III. Efficiency
As elected officials, we must expand vital services while protecting residents from unnecessary tax hikes. Increasing efficiency and eliminating redundancies will be a top priority for my office, as it should be in every office. Will County residents deserve to have services provided as effectively and efficiently as possible. I will re-examine every line item in the office’s $5 million budget to eliminate unnecessary expenses and reallocate funds to where it best serves our taxpayers. I will make changes when necessary, while maintaining and enhancing programs that work well. I will also seek input from the county clerk’s experienced and talented staff, which has done a tremendous job of implementing the policies and procedures they have been given over the years.
4) If elected, what will be your top three priorities?
My top three priorities will be security, access and efficiency.
1. Enhancing the security of our elections and protecting our personal information: My work in the banking industry has provided me with a deep understanding of how to implement security systems to protect information provided by citizens. Every minute of every day someone is attempting to hack systems and collect data to use for unethical or illegal purposes. I will collaborate with cybersecurity professionals, the Will County State's Attorney's Office and my fellow elected officials to ensure our systems are secure and that every vote is accurately counted and recorded.
2. Expanding early voting hours and the number of polling places: In order to exercise the most important right in our democracy, every citizen must have convenient access to the ballot box. I have already begun identifying regions where we can expand the number of polling places to make it easier for citizens to vote. In particular, I have fielded many complaints from citizens and leaders in eastern Will County about the lack of access to the ballot box. We must expand early voting hours and add polling places in regions where citizens have less opportunities to vote. We will work vigorously under the law to make it convenient to vote, no matter where you live in Will County. Also, I will work to expand engagement by establishing an outreach program that will proactively inform residents of their opportunities.
3. Increasing efficiency in the county clerk's office: I will ensure that all aspects of the clerk's office are running as well as possible. I will re-evaluate service turnaround time, payment option availability, election judge training and resource allocation. When done well, process improvement frees up funds that can be allocated to areas where expansion is needed. I will examine every line item in the office's $5 million budget to eliminate unnecessary expenses and redirect funding to where it best serves our taxpayers.