Kevin Kern Illinois County Clerk of the Year
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Some things are simply inarguable. Sincerity, commitment and strong public policy--particularly with respect to franchising anyone of voting age--has guided the life and career of Perry County Clerk & Recorder Kevin Kern.
The Illinois Association of County Clerks & Recorders--the professional enclave of clerks from across Illinois--knew that from the beginning, and on September 16 in Springfield bestowed its highest honor on Kern--it's County Clerk/Recorder of the Year Award. The award speaks volumes not only about Kern, but about the mindset of his entire office. The award was presented to one of the youngest serving clerks in Illinois at the association's annual conference.
Four honorees, one from each of the four zones (regions) are nominated by their peers each summer. Kern the Clerk of the Year for Zone 1, was honored in August at a meeting at Rend Lake. This encompasses 32 counties of Southern Illinois. The statewide award is voted on by all 140 members of the association. These include county clerks and recorders (which are separate officials in the larger counties) from all of Illinois' 102 counties.
"I was really shocked. The three other honorees are all my friends and have all served for longer than I have. We have a lot of expertise and dedication in our association and I felt that there were others that were more deserving than me," said Kern as he returned to his native Du Quoin.
"I was nearly speechless, and a little emotional. When you turn around and see your peers giving you a standing ovation, it's hard not be touched by that," he said.
"I told them this job has a lot of surprises and a lot of unexpected challenges that most of us didn't anticipate when we decided to run for elective office. We joke a lot at our meetings that if we knew then what we know now, we may have thought twice about getting into it," he added.
"But the unexpected joy of the job is the lasting friendships and the ability to call on one another when times get tough. There are problems that are unique to our offices, and challenges that only a colleague can fully appreciate or assist with. The strength of our group is that we can always rely on each other for the information we need, good advice in a crisis, or just a sympathetic ear on a bad day. Some days in this job, that's the only solace you have."
Kern, 35, was elected in November, 2002 and re-elected in November, 2006. He won both races by carrying all of the county's 27 precincts.
Kern is very active in the County Clerk's organization. He has served two years as secretary-treasurer of the Zone 1 association and will end a two-year term as president in December. He has also been treasurer of the statewide association for the past two years, a job in the organization that you typically keep until you retire.
"I guess those are the two highest honors you can have in our group -- the Clerk of the Year award and the fact that they trust you with the organization's money," Kern laughed.
"I have served on a number of committees in the association. This includes a Tax Manual Committee, which publishes a guide to property tax extension and educates our membership on this complicated process. I also serve on our Legislative Committee, which tracks the dozens of proposals which affect our offices. I'm proud to have been a small part of some positive changes to our election process. Among them, was getting the state to fund a $20 increase for election judges for the first time this year. Another is the elimination of costly municipal primaries for many Illinois towns which will spare taxpayers the cost of wasteful elections in places like Du Quoin and Pinckneyville."
"I told my staff that they share in this. I have three great employees -- Mary Gerrish, Denise Bathon and Debbie Waller. I couldn't be as active in the County Clerk's association or get as much accomplished in the office without their help and support. I have a great office because of their expertise and the work ethic they bring to the job every day."
"The award is humbling -- and just the boost I need for the work ahead. Next month will probably be the busiest time I've had in this job as we get ready for the biggest presidential election in 16 years and prepare to get the county's property taxes extended all in the same month," he said.
"Both of those jobs have to be done on time and without error. We're up to the task," he said.