Observer Report – Joan Ebner
Finance Committee - Budget hearing – RECORDER OF DEEDS office – Eugene Moore
10/30/07 - 10:00 am
Commissioners Beavers, Butler, Daley, Gorman, Moldanado, Moreno, Murphy, Peraica, Quigley,
Silvestri, and Suffredin attending. Chaired by Daley
Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore testified from a pre-written speech. His chief deputy provided almost
all responses to questions, even when Mr. Moore was asked directly for a response. The office of
Recorder of Deeds in Cook County is the largest such office in the country.
• They process one million new recordings in a year.
• A proposed shortfall will occur largely because of the downturn in the real estate market and the
lower prices of homes.
• 75% or more of revenue comes from real estate documents.
• The office is proud to not any longer have a backlog in document processing.
Questions included exploring the potential savings if the five suburban offices were closed or
consolidated. Suburban offices are not only a convenience, but also help manage overflow.
Some questions from commissioners seemed to be framed so as to elicit the need for increased staffing.
Peraica arrived just as Silvestri’s questioning ended. He was allowed to open questioning again. He
questioned the media’s report of 35% drop in revenue.
Observer Report – Joan Ebner
Finance Committee – Budget hearing – CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS – Langdon Neal
10/30/07 – 11:00 am
Commissioners Beavers, Butler, Daley, Gorman, Moldanado, Moreno, Murphy, Peraica, Quigley,
Silvestri and Suffredin
Langdon Neal testified. Lance Hoff added support. Comments made about this presidential election
cycle and the impact of HAVA and other new legislation. Impacting the election will be the relatively
new electronic voting, 18 days of early voting at 51 sites, dramatic shift in calendar for primary and other
HAVA requirements.
Commissioners Goslin, Suffredin, Silvestri, Murphy, Peraica, and Beavers asked questions eliciting the
following information.
• Neal expects 20% or more of voters to v