County Clerk's two websites get overhaul

New forms, maps and features improve access to services

Cass Cliatt
Monday, March 08, 2004

Cook County Clerk David Orr has announced the launch of two newly updated and redesigned websites that highlight the Clerk’s services and election information.

"Whether it’s signing up to vote or applying for a marriage license, we want to make it easier for people to take advantage of all of our services," Orr said. "It’s also important that residents understand what’s required of them when it comes to completing tasks that have become a common part of everyday life."

The improved clerk’s main website cookctyclerk.com allows all Cook County residents to access:

• Forms to request birth, death and marriage certificates and other vital records.
• Meeting agendas and archives of related documents from the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
• Request forms and new online resources to obtain genealogy documents.
• New clickable maps to find their elected U.S., state and county officials.
• New detailed instructions and tips for redeeming delinquent property taxes.
• New forms to order estimates of delinquent taxes, proof of property-tax payments, tax maps and other tax documents.
• The latest Cook County tax rates.
• Requirements for the county’s new Domestic Partnership registry.
• Legal requirements and new forms for business name registration.
• A list of acceptable ID to obtain records from the Clerk’s office.

At www.voterinfonet.com, suburban county residents can type their address to verify if they’re registered to vote, learn their polling place address, view a "virtual ballot" of the candidates appearing on their ballot on Election Day and access an online voting guide to learn more about where their candidates stand on the issues.

Orr’s office has asked all candidates running for office in suburban Cook County to submit a 400-word statement highlighting their positions, qualifications and background.

"Voters rarely can attend every political debate or get access to all of the election materials they need to learn what’s at stake in an election,” Orr said. "We want voterinfonet.com to serve as a one-stop resource for voters to conveniently find out what’s on their ballot before they step into the voting booth."

With just a few quick clicks from the comfort of home, suburban Cook County voters can:

• Learn about provisional voting, which allows people to cast a provisional ballot, even if their eligibility to vote is questioned on Election Day.
• Print voter registration and absentee ballot applications – now available in three languages.
• View new instructions in three languages explaining how to vote a ballot.
• Submit a new application online to become an election judge.
• Learn the number of registered voters in each village, school district, township precinct or other election jurisdiction in suburban Cook County.
• Access forms to allow students to sign up for teen voting education.
• Learn more about disabled voting and other programs.

Other functions of the Clerk’s office include: keeping and issuing birth, marriage and death records; maintaining records of tax delinquent properties; calculating property tax rates; keeping statements of economic interests; and serving as the clerk of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.