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* From Secretary of State-Elect Alexi Giannoulias’ RevUpIllinois.com…
* The Question: Do you have any ideas about these and perhaps other secretary of state-related issues? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 10:34 am
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Oh good Lord, where to start. It’s such a long list. That office sucks but people were afraid to offend Jesse supporters so people didn’t say so. Please God just accept the fact that modernization will mean fewer employees but radically better service for Illinois’ 12.5 million residents and get on with it.
1) Technology. Technology. Technology.
2) Modernize. See what other offices are doing and start there.
Comment by New Day Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 10:53 am
One of the reasons it took me so long to upgrade to the Real ID was because they had super old scanners that took forever to scan each page of all of the required documentation. Modernize those and the lines would move faster.
Comment by Benniefly2 Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:05 am
There are many more pressing issues, but I have been noticing during my commute a number of license plates where the red paint has come off over time and makes the letters and numbers very difficult to read. This would seem like a potential issue where the IL SOS and State Police could partner to develop license plates where this doesn’t happen … I don’t know anything about making license plates, so maybe this is unavoidable … throwing a random idea out there for consideration
Comment by Electric Lemonade Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:10 am
Needs to Accept Cash for Tax
Baffling that need Check or Money Order for Tax
Cash OK for Title or Plates, but not Tax
Makes No sense in this day of electronic transfer
( real sad if one agency doesn’t the other)
Comment by Red Ketcher Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:11 am
Reallocate staffing from tiny offices that often have no customers at all. It is bizarre to have to go 30 miles out into the country to be able to get services that are unavailable for weeks at a time from more urban locations. I sat in a rural office and watched as the 3 people behind the counter arranged the magazines in the waiting room because there was nothing for them to do while the 4th did a test drive.
Comment by Simple Simon Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:11 am
My interaction with the SoS office has been minimal to the point I hardly know it’s there. That’s the metric I use to determine if something is working well or not. When things are working well, you won’t even notice it’s there.
There’s probably some room for improvement on the business services side regarding technology improvements, but even then it’s minimal.
For the past few years my license renewals have been done through placing a sticker on my license, due to a clean driving record.
My vehicle stickers have been renewed online every year from my living room.
The last time I was in a SoS office, was probably 2014 - almost 9 years ago.
I’ll leave the suggestions for improvement to those who have direct experience for something that needs to work better - from my point of view I have no suggestions beyond “don’t break anything that is already working”.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:12 am
I have always gotten much better service at SOS offices, especially Freeport, than at Walmart or Loews or Walgreens.
Comment by very old soil Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:21 am
Allow ID/DL on mobile devices.
Comment by Chito Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:28 am
I have gotten really good service from SoS office and especially love the ability to get the renewal at the IEPA station post-emissions test. So don’t screw that up!
Quite honestly, in the past 4 years I have bought new plates for a new vehicle, renewed plates, renewed my license and when I had to go in it has been a pleasant experience with pleasant cheerful staff. I have no complaints about the office.
Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:29 am
Very Old:
I agree. I hope SOS offices never try to automate procedures, as Walmart is doing with self-scan checkouts.
Occasionally I have to wait at the Streator office, but taking a number is fair and efficient.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:29 am
Love the way it works now, but someone might want to replace just about every part of the IT system PRONTO
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:30 am
Are digital IDs / Driver’s Licenses allowable under federal law? If so, how onerous are the requirements?
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:38 am
Im sure there are a lot of communities that could use library improvements? Maybe a committee can make some recommendations?
Comment by Regular demicrat Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:43 am
@Regular demicrat
Agreed about improvements in libraries. My town’s library is closed 2 days out of the week and recently lost its director to a neighboring library that offered her a full-time position.
For us it’s definitely in large part a local issue related to taxes and funding, but in general there is an opportunity to increase library funding to offer better pay and increase services. I would also like to see the SOS office explore how Illinois libraries can more easily share materials. For instance, many belong to consortia which allow public libraries to share items in their catalogs with other member libraries, which is quicker and easier than a more formal inter-library loan. Perhaps there could be a more streamlined consortium across the state to facilitate the sharing of materials between libraries, which could reduce the amount libraries spend on some items.
Comment by Techie Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 11:53 am
We have, by far, the ugliest license plates in the nation. Lincolns face is half cropped, the typography is terrible, the first letter/number is impossible to read (b/c it is over Lincoln’s half cropped face), too busy, etc.
See better prototypes here https://medium.com/words-for-life/illinois-has-the-single-worst-license-plate-in-the-country-64018d987e91
Then, while we’re at it, ban retired lawmaker license plates.
Comment by Lamb Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 12:09 pm
==Please God just accept the fact that modernization will mean fewer employees==
SEIU (no AFSCME presence at SOS) and the other SOS unions will likely rightfully fight against any modernization proposals that could result in layoffs or job cutbacks.
Comment by Stuck In Celliniland Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 12:19 pm
I’d like to see more information on filing complaints on licensees SOS regulates, such as vehicle dealer, etc. So far as business-related services, ILSOS should look at Indiana’s SOS business tools online; our seem rather primitive, especially searches. The whole license plate issue needs a fresh look (way too many plates for starters, and what happened to multi-year renewals for non-commercial vehicles?), but Alexi can’t change either by himself.
Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 12:24 pm
The Sec of State’s office is sorta like the US Post Office. Overstaffed in the wrong ways, underperforming in customer line service, keeps employees who need to go, is terrible with technology. It is not a service to employ people, it is an agency to serve people. Jesse was not great in lots of ways but popular so people kept quiet. No more.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 12:46 pm
Can’t renew online as I have to submit a doctor’s note. Would love to be able to upload that form or have the doctor’s office submit it electronically.
Comment by a drop in Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 1:03 pm
First post didn’t appear, so to repeat, SOS is also the State Librarian, and could be doing much more to support local libraries in today’s hostile cultural climate.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 1:19 pm
Do something to help with the carjacking and vehicle theft and switching license plates associated with these crimes. Like digital license plates or increased penalties for swapping plates.
Comment by HLV Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 2:41 pm
All of the above needs to be an option. I would really like to see investment in libraries, though. White was truly not a library advocate.
If nothing else, leadership on consolidation would be helpful. One of the challenges Illinois faces is the enormous disparity in library services, even in wealthier regions of the state. There are entire swathes of the state that are not covered by a good public library.
Comment by Lulu in Lake Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 2:52 pm
+1000 to the call for technology enhancements. The Illinois State Archives has almost nothing in digital records. Heck, just to throw out 30 year old receipts requires paper forms wet signed in duplicate and mailed to them.
Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 4:38 pm
Covid restrictions that only allow for a few people inside at one time.
Comment by Dupage mom Monday, Nov 14, 22 @ 9:08 pm