Replacing Illinois institution as secretary of state, Giannoulias makes modernization push

Replacing Illinois institution as secretary of state, Giannoulias makes modernization push
Spread the love

By NIKA SCHOONOVER
Capitol News Illinois
nschoonover@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – For newly sworn-in Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, customer service is the central mission as he assumes the state’s second-largest constitutional office, replacing the man who had held it for nearly a quarter century.

“Modernization and bringing new technology is going to be at the forefront of everything we do,” Giannoulias said in an interview with Capitol News Illinois at the end of his second week in office. “This office is rooted in customer service, and my goal is to provide the best customer service possible.”

With over 4,000 employees divided among 20 departments, the secretary of state’s office deals more with the public directly than any other constitutional office. Most well-known for overseeing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, the office is also responsible for supporting the state’s libraries, keeping an organ and tissue donation registry and maintaining the 20-building Capitol Complex among other tasks.

Last week, Giannoulias released his team’s transition report, a guiding document compiled by 124 individuals who served on nine separate subcommittees.

The report outlined priority areas for the office, including improving driver services facilities, ethics and office policies, and technology enhancements. The report was also informed by ideas and suggestions submitted by more than 800 Illinoisans through RevUpIllinois, a website run through the secretary of state’s office that allows residents to submit a survey on the office’s performance.

“We had some great suggestions, some were ideas we hadn’t thought of. Some were complaints that gave us a good idea of what we need to focus on, so they were critical,” Giannoulias said. “And I would encourage people to continue to send us their ideas.”

Late last year, Giannoulias asked state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, to serve on his transition team. Although it may be seen as fairly unusual for a defeated opponent to participate in this process, Brady said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the offer.

“I appreciate the opportunity to continue service in that way, using my expertise and experience and suggesting some of the things I talked about along the campaign trail,” Brady said. “It was an opportunity of sharing knowledges and experiences that hopefully will be helpful.”

For both Giannoulias and Brady, this move says a lot about the office’s capability for bipartisanship. In many ways it’s also a testament to the legacy of outgoing secretary Jesse White, who had held the office since 1999 until his retirement at the age of 88 this year.

White praised both candidates in the general election, noting he had worked with both of them on policy proposals. The retired secretary also had crossover appeal with voters as the perennial lead vote-getter on the statewide ticket throughout his career. 

“I think, in general, people are sick and tired of people who just hate the other party and won’t work with them and I pride myself on always working with anyone who has good ideas, whether they’re Democrat or Republican,” Giannoulias said.

Brady said some of his ideas that made it into the final report included partnering with community colleges to lease space for DMV facilities that already have modern infrastructure capabilities, expanding remote services and cross-training employees to help with both driver and vehicle services.

One of Giannoulias’ top priorities for the office is making driver service facilities among the most “customer centric and accessible in the country.”

“And this means implementing our aggressive modernization plan using technology to overhaul and improve customer service and to help reduce wait times,” Giannoulias said.

The driver facilities and road safety subcommittee outlined several suggestions in the report. They include creating an online scheduling service for driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, and an electronic document upload and approval service. The report also suggests implementing optional digital license plates, electronic vehicle registration and insurance documentation.

Giannoulias also noted modernization will “play a role in every single department,” not just for driver services. 

This includes making the lobbyist registration database more accessible, improving accessibility for e-books and online educational resources in libraries, and further streamlining technology services.

Brady chaired the organ and tissue donation subcommittee, given his experience as McLean County coroner. He also served on the board of Gift of Hope, a non-profit for organ and tissue donation services.

“It’s been a passion of mine and I want to see those numbers increase from the standpoint of registration and how do we do more, not just in the facilities, but across the state,” he said.

Some of the report’s suggestions to increase donor registration numbers include automating the donor process to ease registration burdens, training secretary of state staff on organ donation so they can better inform the public, and working with the coroner and medical offices to improve the process.

On Giannoulias’ first day in office, he signed an executive order aimed at improving ethics and transparency in the office, a promise he made during his inaugural speech.

The order outlines six provisions, including a review of state vehicles to ensure they are only used for business-related functions, strengthening the office’s sexual harassment policy and prohibiting secretary of state employees from contributing to the office’s political fund.

Now, Giannoulias says it’s all about implementing these suggestions.

“We will have digital IDs and digital driver’s license and E-title system, we’re going to do all that,” Giannoulias said. “But right now we have to modernize the current process as is, to make sure people aren’t waiting in line, to make sure a piece of paper doesn’t touch nine hands before it gets back to a customer.”

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide, as well as hundreds of radio and TV stations. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

 


Spread the love
ADS-Vedette-Edward-Jones-Abney-Vedette_CD_Ad_Week_1_of_13_6_29_2023_page-0001.jpg


Illinois News


Brandy Renshaw enjoys working on the farm alongside her father, Steve Williams. –Photo courtesy of Brandy Renshaw.
Illinois Farmer Appears in New TV Show Spotlighting Women in Ag
Capitol Brief: Lawyers hope for Illinois Supreme Court answer to Trump ballot question
Capitol Brief: Lawyers hope for Illinois Supreme Court answer to Trump ballot question
Judge denies McCann’s request for home confinement, orders him held in custody
Judge denies McCann’s request for home confinement, orders him held in custody
With influx of state and federal funding, Illinois looks to add enough chargers to support 1 million EVs
With influx of state and federal funding, Illinois looks to add enough chargers to support 1 million EVs
Pritzker commits another $182 million to migrant response, details to come next week
Pritzker commits another $182 million to migrant response, details to come next week
In last-minute reversal, former Sen. Sam McCann pleads guilty to corruption charges
In last-minute reversal, former Sen. Sam McCann pleads guilty to corruption charges


Classifieds


Hire engineering assignment writing service in Malaysia
artykuly-biurowe
Materiały biurowe do waszej firmy
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Monee Police Blotter: February 6 – 11

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn February 6, at approximately 5:33 p.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Marcellus Bearden, 55, of Chicago. Bearden was issued citations for driving with expired license plates, driving while his license was suspended, and operating an uninsured vehicle. He was released with a notice to appear via his citations. On…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Peotone Police Blotter: February 10-15

Spread the love

Spread the loveFebruary 10: Peotone Police responded to the report of a dispute in the 300 block of Glenview. Officers spoke with the individuals involved, who advised they had been arguing, but everything was OK and calmed down, and they did not require any assistance. February 10: A complainant walked into the Peotone Police Department…


Spread the love
Blue Devil logo

PHS Holds Senior Dance Night

Spread the love

Spread the loveSpread the love


Spread the love
Blue Devil logo

PHS Holds Cheer Team Senior Night

Spread the love

Spread the lovePeotone High School celebrated Cheer Team Senior Night at the basketball game on Tuesday, February 13. Ava Daly is the daughter of Beth and Don Daly and a four-year member of the cheer team. Ava’s favorite memory from cheer team was when they hit their original routine for the first time at sectionals,…


Spread the love
Peotone library logo

Peotone Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveMark your calendars for the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale – Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20. Interested in the Homebound Delivery Program? Contact the Adult Services Department for more information and guidelines. Register for events on the website calendar or call the library at 708-258-3436. Youth…


Spread the love
MFPD logo

MFPD Responds to Grain Dryer Fire

Spread the love

Spread the loveFebruary 14, Peotone: At approximately 11:35 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) was dispatched for a smoke investigation near a grain dryer in the 2800 block of South Rt. 45. The first units arrived on the scene within 10 minutes of the initial call for service. Fire crews reported heavy smoke showing,…


Spread the love
PJHS Present Annie Jr.

PJHS to Present ‘Annie JR.’ March 2-3

Spread the love

Spread the lovePeotone to learn important lessons: ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile’ and ‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.’ Leaping Lizards! Peotone will “stick up its chin and grin and sing ‘Tomorrow!  Tomorrow!’” when Peotone Junior High performs Annie JR., it was announced by Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International (MTI). Based…


Spread the love
–Photo submitted.

Joyce Responds to Proposed Aqua Illinois Rate Increases

Spread the love

Spread the loveIn response to Aqua Illinois filing a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to increase the rate they charge for water, State Sen. Patrick Joyce issued the following statement recently: “Aqua Illinois recently filed for a water rate increase that could cause unnecessary financial hardships on families. Now is not the time to…


Spread the love
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Beecher Police Blotter: January 29 – February 7

Spread the love

Spread the loveDisclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely accusations, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. January 29, Antonio Montoya, 55, of the 2200 block of Albany, Chicago, was stopped at Dixie Highway and Chestnut Lane for having a loud muffler and found to have a revoked driver’s…


Spread the love
Scholarship logo

PHS Senior Scholarships Available; Deadlines Approaching

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe following scholarships recently were announced and are available for Peotone High School seniors. All application links are online on the PHS website. Go to the Student Services tab and click on “Scholarship Opportunities” to view all scholarships and qualifications. The deadline for most scholarships is March 8, unless otherwise indicated. •Alec J.…


Spread the love
–Logo submitted.

Crete Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveThursday, February 22 Preschool Pals, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children enjoy spending time with other preschoolers, while listening to stories, learning songs and fingerplays, and playing games. Register. Film Club, from 5:30 – 8 p.m., adults: Watch “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” on the library’s…


Spread the love
–Logo submitted.

Beecher Community Library News

Spread the love

Spread the loveCall the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. The library’s Penfield Street parking lot entrance is closed until spring, but the Maxwell Street entrance will remain open. Turn north on Maxwell from Indiana Avenue to get to the library. Youth Services A new make-and-take craft will be available March 1! Pick…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Chief Would Prefer No Carts for Crete

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave If Crete Police Chief Scott Pieritz has his way, there will be no golf carts rolling on village roadways. Pieritz said in a letter to the village board he is opposed to golf carts there, and asked the trustees to reject the proposed ordinance that was slated to be voted…


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Manteno Village Board Revises Public Participation

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens In a consent agenda with no discussion and no dissension, the Manteno Village Board unanimously voted to revise the public participation rules for village board meetings. The revised ordinance provides that each speaker addressing the board be given three minutes, but once the three minutes is over, if the speaker…


Spread the love
Vote logo

Early Voting Begins on March 4 at New Locations

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Early voting for  the 2024 Primary Election will begin on Monday, March 4, with two new locations for casting ballots.  As Monee Clerk Doneshia Codjoe reported during the village board’s December 13 meeting, Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry’s office sent notification that early voting services will be moved to…


Spread the love