Bilingual Election Judges Needed in Cook County

Skokie is in need of judges who can speak English and Spanish during March 20 elections.

Skokie is one of 34 municipalities in need of bilingual election judges for the upcoming March 20 elections, according to Cook County Clerk David Orr. "Clerk David Orr is recruiting about 75 bilingual election judges who are fluent in English and Spanish to work in suburban Cook County precincts," according to a statement from Orr's office. Earlier: Absentee Voter Applications Available at Village Hall and Early Voter Information Interested in the job? You can fill out an application online or call (312) 603-0965. Judges receive $170 for completing a 3-hour training session and working on from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. on election day. Duties include the following:  Stay tuned for more election coverage. Like Skokie Patch on Facebook to join the…

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Opposite-Sex Couples Cite Ideology, Benefits in Getting Civil Union

Cook Co. Clerk's survey shows that 65% of women plan to still marry vs. 38% of men.

The main reason that opposite-sex couples obtained a civil union was to show their support for equality and to obtain medical benefits, according to a survey released today by the Cook County Clerk’s Office. Civil unions became legal in Cook County on June 1, and are offered to both same- and opposite-sex couples. As of Sept. 19, a total of 1,470 couples had obtained a civil union license, 87 of whom were opposite-sex couples, the report said. Clerk David Orr’s office conducted a phone survey at the end of September and called all 87 of those couples. They reached a member of 46 couples, who answered seven questions. (You can read the full survey results by clicking on the PDF icon to the right.) In the first, open-ended question, people …

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Cook County Unveils 'Transparency, Accountability' Program

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced county departments will set and track goals through the STAR system.

Cook County government, long criticized for operating with inefficiencies, is moving toward becoming more efficient by measuring the quality of its performance. Toni Preckwinkle, who became county board president last December, says it will reduce costs and streamline services.  On Thursday, Preckwinkle, standing alongside several county elected officials, released the county's first quarterly performance management report.  The purpose of the Set Targets Achieve Results (STAR) report, Preckwinkle said, is to boost accountability and lower the cost of government by setting and tracking goals for each county agency and department. "Performance management gives us the opportunity to change the culture of the County and begin a new chapter in…

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Patch Election HQ

Viewfinder: Last Day of Early Voting in Cook County

Morton Grove Patch takes a peek inside the voting booth in Morton Grove for this week's installment of the Viewfinder.

Today marks the last day of early voting for suburban Cook County voters, and according to County Clerk David  Orr, voting polls have seen high turn-outs around the 120 towns and villages  in the county. You can read details on the April 5 election and your own ballot here.

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As Results Pour In, Clerk's Office Reports Smooth, Efficient Work

Less than three hours after polls closed, the Cook County Clerk has reported 90 percent of voting results.

As election results flowed in throughout the evening, Cook County Clerk David Orr's office offered timely updates on their website and in their Chicago office. Reporters gathered in Orr's office from local media outlets including WGN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times. Offering unofficial results on scrolling screens and hard copies, the office was busy throughout the evening. Orr – who was also up for re-election – continued to work as the results came in.  In less than three hours after the polls closed, Orr's office reported 90 percent of its returns, something that he called a "great thing." As results filtered in, the office experienced efficient reporting. Initial estimates indicate an expected voter …

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