Ila M. Bauer had to wait a little bit longer than most of Lake County’s mayoral candidates to get election results from the Lake County clerk’s office in her April 1 contest with write-in candidate George Scherer Jr. in Round Lake Park.
Unofficial results showed Bauer with absolutely zero votes–which perplexed County Clerk Willard Helander.
“We knew the candidate at least had voted for herself,” said Helander, who asked her staff to retabulate the votes the day after the election.
The clerk’s final tally showed Bauer won the race with 537 votes, compared with 159 for Scherer.
Another interesting sidelight to the election is the fact that more than 25,500 “hits” were made to view election results on the clerk’s Internet page.
Some inquiries came from as far away as Japan, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and Canada, Helander said.
The Lake County clerk’s office was one of the first in the state to offer on-line election results on the World Wide Web.
In March 1996, the clerk’s office offered results for the presidential primaries and received 2,800 hits, even though there was only a week to advertise the new service.
“We have continued to expand our Internet page to include information on where precinct polling places are located, how to become an election judge or poll watcher, and what issues and candidates are on the ballot,” Helander said.
The web site soon will contain petition information for school board candidates who will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, the clerk’s office said.
The clerk’s web site is (www.co.lake.il.us/cntyclk).
Also new on the web: Freshman state Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) has opened a home page to provide state policy information and other information to 30th District constituents.
“By taking advantage of this technology, people who might not otherwise contact my office or be familiar with my policy positions can have instant access,” said Link, who also is opening an e-mail address where constituents can send him their own on-line opinions.
Money talks: State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Wauconda), a banker who is serving his freshman term in the General Assembly, is co-sponsoring legislation to increase the fines imposed on convicted criminals.
“As the rate of inflation has climbed, fines for violating the laws haven’t,” said Beaubien, whose proposed measure recently was approved by the Illinois House and is now on its way to the Senate.
“To be effective, judges should be able to impose the higher fines so convicted criminals can learn their lesson,” said Beaubien, a former Lake County Board member.
Under House Bill 618, fines would be increased from $10,000 to $25,000 on felonies, and from $1,000 to $2,500 on Class A misdemeanors. Also, Class B and C misdemeanor fines would increase from $500 to $1,500, and from $500 to $1,000 for petty offenses.
Breakfast meeting: The Lake County Economic Development Commission’s Executive Breakfast next month will feature discussions on practical manufacturing strategies and a view of the global, U.S. and Midwest economies.
Scheduled speakers include management consultants Michael F. Doyle, president of Phoenix-based Doyle Consulting Group L.L.P., and Robert C. Parker, president of Parker Management Associates Ltd. in Glen Ellyn.
Also, Harris Investment Management Chairman and Chief Strategist Donald G.M. Coxe will discuss the Midwest’s economy and how it is tied to Japan and the outlook for heavy industry.
For more information about the May 1 event at Marriott’s Lincolnshire Resort, call Russell Medley at 847-360-5963.
