Democratic candidate for Cook circuit court clerk promises modernization, transparency; Opponent silent

Failure to modernize and lack of transparency are the biggest challenges facing the Cook County circuit court clerk’s office, according to Mariyana Spyropoulos, Democratic candidate for clerk of the Cook County circuit court.

She faces Republican candidate Lupe Aguirre on Nov. 5.

The Daily Herald attempted to contact Aguirre, a former Chicago police officer and attorney, through the Cook County Republican Party, but was unable to do so. Aguirre does not appear to have a campaign website.

Neither candidate participated in a Daily Herald endorsement interview.

If elected Spyropoulos — a former prosecutor who spent 14 years as a commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board — says she will “improve the use of technology in the office, bring the courts to communities to increase access to justice and make the office more transparent and ethical” according to a statement on her campaign website.

Spyropoulos defeated current circuit court clerk and fellow Democrat Iris Martinez in the March primary. Martinez succeeded longtime circuit court clerk Dorothy Brown, whose office was subject to scandal and federal probes during her five terms.

In a candidate questionnaire she submitted before the March primary, Spyropoulos said if elected, she will institute an office-wide audit and hire a consultant to ensure staff and resources are managed efficiently.

She also advocates for a dedicated chief innovation officer to “drive technology development and implementation” where necessary.