RESUME
Who I am:
Born September 10, 1987; life-long resident of Rock Island County, Illinois.
Middle-class family: mother Dawn (Summers), Moline; three younger sisters Courtney (brother-in-law Joey), Haley, and Carlee; father Wade (deceased).
Educated by Rock Island & Milan Public Schools.
Augustana College graduate; Bachelor’s Degree in political science cum laude (2010).
Lewis University graduate; Master’s Degree in organizational leadership (2016).
Avid runner; local charity 5k & half-marathon participant.
Dues-paying member of the Farm Bureau and Moose Club.
Pro-Union, Pro-Constitution & Rule of Law.
My experience:
Chief Deputy to Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney (2017- present).
South Rock Island Township Clerk (2013- present).
Rock Island County Board Vice Chair (2014-2017).
Rock Island County Board member representing District 15 (2010-2017).
Democratic precinct committeeperson (2008- present).
Volunteer boards: Arrowhead Ranch (2011-2017), QC Area Labor Management Council (2011-2017), Project NOW (2012-2013), St Pius Parish Council (2009-2012).
Grant coordinator at Washington Jr High School, Rock Island, in charge of over $100,000 annually for Lights On For Learning academic enrichments and support for at-risk students (2012-2017).
What I offer:
I have long-standing working relationships with key County stakeholders & local leaders.
I know the property tax process from adoption, to extension, to billing, and delinquency.
I know the County’s software systems, policies, and the budget process & management.
I know the framework of the Illinois Counties Code.
I know the levels of government and their leaders from Townships to the National government.
I have good demeanor, public speaking skills, and strong writing & reading abilities.
I believe public servants should serve the people, not themselves.
I believe in good government that is effective and responsive to the people it serves.
Accomplishments:
Prepared the budgets for the County Clerk’s Office, and stayed under budget every year.
Managed over $200,000 in Federal & State grant money for COVID and the 2020 election, saving the County its own money.
Oversaw, with Supervisor Grace Diaz Shirk, the selling and purchasing of Township properties, and the renovations of a building for a new Township Hall using local union labor (IMPACT Project).
Discontinued costly fringe benefits for part-time elected officials at the County and Township levels.
Initiated and managed the computerizing of records within the Township Clerk’s Office.
Exercised budgetary restraint as South Rock Island Township hasn’t raised the tax levy since 2014; kept the Township Clerk salary frozen throughout my terms.