HR0592 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0592 LRB094 13294 HSS 48447 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Deborah M. Preston is retiring from her position as as Moultrie County Circuit Clerk after 16 years in the Clerk's office; and

WHEREAS, She has been a resident of Moultrie County for 50 years; she attended Sullivan Schools and graduated from Sullivan High School and Lake Land College; she is married to Larry Preston, who works as the Vice President of Operations/Assistant Treasurer at Staley Credit Union; she has one son, Andrew Preston, who is a graduate of the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, She started her career in the Circuit Clerk's office as a Deputy Clerk in 1989; in 1991, she was promoted to Chief Deputy and in 1993, she was appointed Circuit Clerk by the Judges of the Sixth Judicial Circuit; in 1994, she was elected Circuit Clerk, and she won re-election in 1996, 2000, and 2004; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure in the office of the Circuit Clerk, she has worked on several notable projects, including converting a manual bookkeeping system to computer accounting; supervising the upgrade of all data processing equipment; developing and maintaining a multi-user computer network and a functional web page; maintaining a secure multi-user Internet access network; and integrating computer systems of the State Disbursement Unit, Illinois Department of Public Aid, and the Illinois Attorney General with the Circuit Clerk's computer system; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Preston was instrumental in developing a successful system for collecting fines and fees due to Moultrie County; she participated in the first Child Support Enforcement program in Moultrie County, implemented and managed a Traffic Safety Program, and increased the efficiency, accuracy, and the speed of providing information to participants in the court system; she has often worked with students at the high school and college level; and

WHEREAS, Without the use of tax dollars, she developed Jury Management software, designed and supervised the installation of a modern archive room for long storage of documents, and created a more efficient work environment by converting office furnishings to modern modular units; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Preston is a member of the Illinois Association of County Officials and the Illinois Association of Circuit Clerks; she is a past president of the Democratic Women of Moultrie County and was appointed Court Disabilities Coordinator; she is a charter member of the Sullivan Optimist Club and served on the Board of Directors, a past member of the Parents Advisory Committee of the Gifted/Talented Enrichment Program of Sullivan Schools, and a past Board Member of the Moultrie County Mental Health Board; and

WHEREAS, In her free time, she enjoys quilting, playing piano, writing poetry, reading, traveling, floral arranging, and collecting famous quotations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Deborah M. Preston on the occasion of her retirement as Moultrie County Circuit Clerk; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to her as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for a relaxing retirement.