Referendum would decide fate of Recorder of Deeds

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Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey | Sun-Times Media File

Updated: December 15, 2011 9:53AM

Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey, who believes the Recorder of Deeds office should be abolished to save taxpayer money, will formally introduce a measure next week to let the voters decide.

Fritchey along with co-sponsors Gregg Goslin, a suburban Republican, and Democrats Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Edwin Reyes are backing a referendum that would go on next November’s ballot, asking voters to decide.

“I’m asking my colleagues to have faith in their constituents and put it on the ballot in the November election,” Fritchey told the Sun-Times. “This is an opportunity for taxpayers to have a direct say in the size of government that represents them.”

Fritchey says this would be a binding referendum and that, if approved by a majority of voters, the offices could be consolidated in 2016.

The recorder’s office is an $11.7 million operation with roughly 200 positions that is responsible for recording property deals, including transfers and liens.

He’s suggesting that the responsibilities could be folded into the County Clerk’s office, which handles public records such as marriage and birth certificates, saving taxpayers about $1 million annually.

Eugene Moore, the current recorder, isn’t expected to run for the seat again in 2012. Last month, County Democrats slated Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) for the job.

The issue came up during county budget hearings in recent weeks, and Darlena Williams Burnett, the chief deputy recorder who has weighed running for the top job, pooh-poohed the consolidation.