The two contenders for Peoria County Clerk in the upcoming November election each praised the office Saturday while saying they're the one to lead it into the future.
Democrat Rachael Parker, who was appointed to the county clerk and recorder position in 2019 and first elected in 2020, is running against Republican Kari Gabbert, the lead designer and sales manager for Peoria-based C.T. Gabbert Remodeling and Construction.
"There's nothing that's preventing us from being a leader, the one that people look at in their case studies to say, 'we want to run our office like they do,'" Gabbert said during a candidate forum held at the main branch of the Peoria Public Library, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria.
"I have a great appreciation for all the office does and I'm excited to step in and make it even better, go from good to great. In whatever job you have, you shouldn't settle."
Parker said her office deserves praise because of the customer service provided by its 14 staff members and innovations that have been put in place, among them a "Clerk on the Move" program.
Office staff travel to area libraries to provide services such as creating a certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage license or deed so people don't have to make a trip to the office in downtown Peoria.
Additionally, there's a translation device in the office for visitors who don't speak fluent English and documents printed in Spanish.
Parker said in seven years on the job, she hasn't had a union grievance filed against her and not one instance where the wrong person was able to obtain a vital document.
"If you don't have an ID with you, we're not going to help you," she said.
Parker said a fee will be waived when there are extraordinary situations. She gave a recent example of a person whose sister had died and needed a document.
"We need to get the word out about that service," Gabbert said. "But we need to make sure it isn't abused. Some people can be very manipulative."
Parker opposed fee increases in her department proposed last year by the Peoria County Board.
Five departments were targeted, with only the clerk's office given a two-year implementation instead of a one-year period for the raises because of Parker's opposition to them.
For example, certified copies birth certificates increased from $16 to $20 this year and will go to $22 next year. Certified copies of death certificates rose from $20 to $24 this year and will go to $28 next year.
"I opposed the increases because many people are struggling financially," Parker said.
Parker, who was a track star at Bradley University, is a former member of both the county board and the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education. She was the economic development director for Chillicothe for seven years before being appointed to her current job.
"I feel this job was made for me," she said. "So many things I've done in the past translate to this job."
Gabbert, a first-time candidate, graduated from Southern Illinois University and is a recipient of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year Award.
