Theresa E. Barreiro: Kane Co. Circuit Clerk Candidate Profile

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Family: Husband Dan Barreiro, 3 adult children who live in Colorado and Brooklyn, NY

Education: Aurora Central Catholic High School

Occupation: Kane County Circuit Clerk – 4 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Kane County Board – 2012-2020

Campaign website: BarreiroforCircuitClerk.com

The single most pressing issue facing our county is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it?

The economy. The Circuit Clerk’s Office has little impact on the national economy but can make a difference for some people locally. For example, the Circuit Clerk’s Office hosts expungement clinics to help clean up records to help people gain employment. We build partnerships to increase the success of the clinics held in different locations in the county. Many people have taken advantage of these clinics so they may gain employment.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience is a critical difference between my opponent and I. I have served as the Kane County Circuit Clerk for nearly 4 years and served on the Kane County Board for eight years. Previously, I worked in the Kane County Clerk’s Office as well as the City of Aurora holding various positions in the City Clerk’s Office, Building and Permits and Community Development. With these positions I gained administrative, budget and managerial experience. Altogether, I have over 30 years experience in government.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform?

The success of the Circuit Clerk’s depends on the working relationship with our judicial partners. I have worked hard to establish a good working relationship with the Judges and the States Attorney. We meet regularly and address issues. Innovation is another pillar. I have had great success because of the relationships I established with IT and our computer vendor. As a result we have been successful with several upgrades and the new software has resulted in a more robust system and users including the public, judges and attorneys are able access what they need on demand. I bring a strong work ethic to the position. I lead by example and it has made a difference with staff who are greatly appreciated by the judges and attorneys.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

Continuing to keep technology up to date. Expanding on technological capabilities in conjunction with the other judicial partners.

Why are you running for office?

I am seeking another term to continue to build on my previous accomplishments and help make the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s office among the best in the State. We are a leader in many areas and I would like to do more.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

When I was a County Board member we set policy and budgets. As Circuit Clerk that still applies along with following state statutes. My goal is to stay within budget and provide the best customer service with the resources we have.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office?

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As a former Kane County Board Member, I am sensitive to the budget and its impact on taxpayers. The Circuit Clerk’s office has come in under budget for the past three years. We have been successful with over $1. million in grants since 2021. This helps the office to do more with less reliance on local tax dollars.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

We received the Tyler Award for Excellence and participated in the Pilot Program with the State of Il for the SAFE-T ACT. Our work was beneficial for other counties when the SAFE-T went into effect.

Do you think Illinois’s SAFE-T act/no cash bail has been effective?

The SAFE-T act had a bold vision but had unintended consequences. Changes needed to be made to make the system fair. Many tweaks have been made and will continue to be made. In Kane County we have a working group of which I am a part of that looks at current and proposed legislation.

Do you think state taxpayer money should be provided to ease the migrant crisis?

This isn’t applicable to the duties of the Circuit Clerk or office.

Should municipalities adopt restrictions on unscheduled bus drop-offs?

As Circuit Clerk this is not applicable to the office.

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