Next Stroger Challenger … C’mon Down!

One Comment on Next Stroger Challenger … C’mon Down!

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp on Mon, 29th Jun 2009 1:54 pm


Atten: Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown and whoever else might be listening in Cook Co.

Two weeks ago, I visited the Cook County Courthouse to conduct genealogy research. I brought with me two friends; one from Los Angeles and the other from Quincy, IL. We are all avid genealogists with roots in both Missouri and Illinois – and we were very much looking forward to doing research in Chicago.

To our horror and dismay – our visit was marred by one rude employee after another. In truth, the word rude isn’t strong enough to convey the horrible, despicable behavior that we observed from one public servant after another. It was truly appalling. Even though two weeks has passed since my visit — I am still furious about it.

In my ten years of doing African American research in counties all over the state of Missouri, I have NEVER, NEVER been treated as poorly and as rudely as I was at the Cook County courthouse and city hall. It seemed like the people working in every department (with the exception of the Archives and Research Room & one very nice lady in Recorder of Deeds office ) took a hate pill before coming to work. I have to point specifically — an exceptionally rude employee — Quinton who works in the Deeds office — he should be fired right away. Even the police officer that we approached for directions; was borderline impolite.

The animosity towards customers is nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. Most of the employees we dealt with never said Good Morning, Thank-You, Have a Nice Day – not a single, basic & polite greeting was extended to us. I was so furious so I finally asked to speak to a manager who apologized for what we had experienced. He said that what we experienced was not uncommon - -that there plenty of complaints. It was SOOO angry when I got around to talking to a manager that my hands were shaking. We couldn\’t WAIT to leave. The service was so bad; that other customers were assisting us and urging us to complain to someone. People in the elevator quipped about the service saying: Everyone is rude here.. that’s how it is! It was both intimidating and infuriating. I heard a story about a elderly man coming in for some sort of service and was so thoroughly harassed by the courthouse employees that he gave up and left. In response, the two employees celebrated by slapping their palms together for a high-five.

To make matters worse; we finally left that giant house of hundreds of people who can\’t stand customers to check out the Harold Washington Library. Same thing.. very, very, very rude people. Everyone acted like you were inconveniencing them if you asked a question. At one point a number of people working the checkout desk were arguing and swearing loudly at each other. I have NEVER been to a public library where such behavior was tolerated. What is wrong with the people who are managing the employees at the Courthouse and City Hall.

People were standing around, joking, swearing — and basically acting like they could not be bothered.

I know one thing for sure; there is a systemic problem in Cook County. I am not sure that customer service training would help the numerous hateful and rude people that we saw. But something desperately needs to be done - in my opinion — a lot of people should be simply be fired. Most of the public servants we had contact with gave every indication that they don\’t want to work and don\’t like dealing with the public.

Given the state of our current economy — there are lots of people desperate for work — who I am sure are more deserving than the fleet of ill-tempered denizens that overfill the courthouse and city hall floors.

Cook County needs to do more than reform; I say they need to do some serious house-cleaning.

I am proud to say; in my state — visitors to the Missouri State Archives or ANY courthouse in Missouri — will be treated with kindness and respect.

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp

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