New Office Possible in Kendall County

Jerry Bannister is running for Kendall County Recorder of Deeds.  His biggest challenge?  A separate recorder position doesn’t exist.

Currently the recorder’s responsibilities are being completed by County Clerk and Recorder Debbie Gillette.  Illinois law states that when a county population reaches 60,000 or more, a separate recorder’s office shall be created.  Kendall County’s population hovers around 114,700. 

The recorder would be responsible for real estate documents of any kind.  According to Gillette, in 2010 the county processed 24,000 documents, down from 27,000 in 2008.  According to Bannister, when growth goes back to normal there will be an average of just under 50,000 documents recorded per year.

“Nobody’s ever pushed this issue and I decided to push it," Bannister said. "Nobody knows what they (the recorders) do until they need it. I don’t believe it’s going to get any easier for the clerk’s office as the population grows.”

In addition to his concern about the workload currently carried by the county clerk, Bannister is also concerned with protecting private information on documents filed by residents.  His “project one pass” is aimed at ensuring accuracy and redacting private information such as social security numbers.  Project one pass would entail reviewing more than 500,000 documents.

Kendall County Board Chairman John Purcell isn’t so convinced that the offices should be separated, “I can’t tell you there will never be a need for the office,” he said.  “But the office is run very well now.”

Gillette shares Purcell’s sentiment. “No,” she said. “We’re trending down in recorded documents. How can you justify adding another person?”

Purcell is also concerned with the cost of creating the office. “This would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said.

Bannister said he is sympathetic to monetary concerns. While other county officials including Gillette make approximately $85,000 annually, Bannister has stated he will do the job for $30,000. 

“I’m getting a little bit of grief for trying to add a salary,"Bannister said.  "As the organizer of the first Tea Party for Kendall County I understand that,” he said. “Although it will be a new salary, it isn’t going to create a whole new bureaucracy.”  According to Bannister, the office is essentially self-supporting because of the fees for filing documents.

 He also promises to pay for his own business cards and letterhead and not ask for a new office.

“I’ll sit at an empty desk, I don’t care,” he said.

Bannister is an Oswego resident with more than 20 years of experience working with public documents in 11 counties.  He said he has personally done more than 20,000 real-estate title searches; experience necessary for a recorder.

“Why not hire an expert?” said Bannister. “Let’s get somebody in there now when it’s slow, let them get the systems they want in place, and get things fixed the way they want them fixed.”

“If somebody’s an expert it would be Jerry,” said Purcell. “I think Jerry would do a super job.”

While county officials discuss the need for a recorder, the ultimate decision may be up to voters.  A referendum would allow voters to decide if they would like to create a recorder’s office.  The topic is going to be discussed Tuesday Aug. 16 among board members.

“It’s not our position to decide without voters having a choice,” said Purcell “This is a substantial change and it will effect operations.”

If voters decide a separate office is necessary the recorder would run in March, 2012.

“I want people to understand that the ownership of real estate is the foundation of freedom in this country,” Bannister said. "In order for those types of transactions to take place the recorders office needs to do its job as best as possible. I believe an expert should be in there doing it and I’m the person for the job.” 

For more information on Bannister visit jerrybannister.com