Clerk Monica Gordon Releases Transition Report and Unveils New Initiatives to Expand Access, Equity, and Security (Cook County, IL) – Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon today announced the release of the office’s official Transition Report, detailing key accomplishments from the past six months and outlining a forward-looking agenda to improve services, enhance language access, strengthen voting security, and promote public transparency.
“This report outlines the work we’ve already begun and charts a clear path forward to strengthen our services and operations,” said Clerk Gordon. “It reflects not just where we are, but where we are going as we reimagine the Clerk’s Office to better serve every resident of Cook County.”
The document provides a comprehensive review of the office’s internal operations, new initiatives currently underway, and strategic goals for the future.
Language Access and Equity at the Forefront
In a county as diverse as Cook, Gordon said language access has been identified as a top priority. The Clerk’s Office now provides ballots in 12 languages during all suburban elections, making it one of the most comprehensive ballot access systems in the nation. To further support non-English speakers, the office has introduced Pocketalk devices—which are handheld two-way translation tools that allow real-time communication in more than 90 languages. These are now used daily in customer-facing departments such as Vital Records and Recording Operations.
“Every Cook County resident deserves to be treated with dignity—and that begins with being understood,” said Gordon.
Modernizing Elections: Smart Ballot Dropboxes
As the largest election jurisdiction in Illinois, the Clerk’s Office is also prioritizing election security and accessibility. One of the report’s major highlights is the introduction of Smart Ballot Dropboxes, designed to modernize the vote-by-mail experience.
These secure drop boxes include built-in surveillance cameras, tamper-proof designs, and envelope-scanning technology that allows voters to track the status of their ballots. Fully ADA compliant, the devices will be piloted during next year’s elections.
Equity, Transparency, and Community Engagement
In addition to its election work, the Clerk’s Office has launched its first internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, expanded multilingual outreach, and improved access to ethics and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) resources through website upgrades.
The full Transition Report is available on the Clerk’s Office website at cookcountyclerk.com/
Clerk Monica Gordon Releases Transition Report and Unveils New Initiatives to Expand Access, Equity, and Security
