Sandy Wegman

On the Record

Why are you running for the position of Kane County recorder?

Having played a vital role in the design & development of our Land Records System, I take great pride when a user takes the time to tell me how professional the office is and that we set the standard for recording and searching documents. As such, I want to ensure that this system stays in place so that the customers can continue to receive the quality of service that they have become accustomed to receiving. I also want to continue implementing new technologies that make recording and searching documents easier.

What would your top three priorities be as recorder?

As always, this office is dedicated to having knowledgeable, friendly staff who are more than eager to assist. Due to the innovative technologies which now exists in the Recorder’s Office, my focus will be to complete the rewrite of our Land Records System to take advantage of new technologies that will make the system easier to support and upgrade. Our entire SAN needs to be replicated to the off-site disaster recovery facility. Our current disaster recovery plan only hosts the land records system. This replication would host a live replica of every server and all data that is not part of the land records system. Additionally, as I have for all previous years, staying within budget and giving money back to the county is always a priority.

How would you differentiate yourself from your opponent?

Having spent twelve years as Kane County Recorder, I have the knowledge, experience and legal understanding of the functions of this office. I have prepared multi-million dollar budgets, reviewed and implemented new technologies to provide the services that the users of this office have come to appreciate. I am current on the laws governing this office and am also cognizant that the documents in this office are public and take special care to ensure that the public has easy access to them.

Explain an accomplishment of yours and how it would relate to your being an effective recorder.

In 2006, by implementing innovative technology, Kane County revolutionized how land records were not only recorded but searched. Kane was the first collar county to provide free online access to land records; to provide instant return of recorded documents at the counter with instant accessbility to data and images; to provide electronic recording of documents with multiple vendors as well as making non-vendor electronic recording available to municipalities; first and only county to provide access to land records via IPhone and Ipad; and, first and only county to stream live data and images to the data center. We provide Social Security redaction and Propety Transfer Notification when a property is transferred. Our indexed data goes back to 1979 and our images go back to 1950s. I downsized the office from a headcount of 33 to 19 and after consolidating services, gave back a floor of space to the county.

How have you – or would you – work to technologically modernize the recorder’s office?

Under my leadership, the Kane County Recorder’s Office has implemented the latest in technology. Our system is web-based, and non-proprietary. This allows us to make changes in-house or, in the event of a disaster, to set up shop anywhere in just a matter of hours, if necessary. I have worked to transform the office into one that is efficient, technologically advanced and user friendly.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I have demonstrated my ability not only to run an efficient office, coming in under budget each year and returning money to the county, but also implementing improvements that benefit the taxpayers of this county. Streamlining the office has been underway for some time. Head count has been reduced from 33 to 19; consolidation of services has allowed us to give back the 2nd floor of Building C to the county for the relocation of 911 and OEM, saving the taxpayers millions of dollars.