GOP candidate wants big changes at DMV offices

SYCAMORE - State Sen. Dan Rutherford says he will outwit the political pundits and get elected Illinois secretary of state in the fall election. And then next year, customers at Department of Motor Vehicles offices may see an unusual face behind the counter - the secretary of state. Rutherford said he will spend some time at each of the state's 130 Department of Motor Vehicles offices - including the one in DeKalb - waiting on customers. Rutherford, a Republican hoping to unseat two-term incumbent Jesse White in the Nov. 7 election, made the comments Friday during a campaign swing to Sycamore. He said by working in the offices, he will be able to hear first-hand the complaints people have. He said he will work with employees who want to do a good job and &#8220encourage” those who don't perform well. In most of the retail world, technology has been used to provide faster, higher quality service to customers, Rutherford said. He said that same kind of concept should be used in the DMV offices. &#8220Customers at DMV should be treated as though they are valued customers, as compared to customers of a government monopoly that has ‘got you,'” he said Friday at a press conference attended by some of DeKalb County's most prominent Republicans. He unveiled his plan to revitalize the DMV offices where people get their licenses and license plates. For instance, he said, thousands of people did not get their reminders that their license renewals were due. Most failed to get the licenses with a month of the deadline and had to pay a $20 fine. Rutherford said that people should be able to make an appointment on the DMV Web site or by telephone. That way, they wouldn't have to wait in line for a long time, he said. Rutherford said e-mail reminders would be sent to people who made appointments. And upon suggestion from Republican loyalist Mike Stuckert of Waterman, he said he might add automated telephone reminders to his list of ideas. &#8220In today's world, a consumer can make dinner reservations from a home computer or book a flight to Hong Kong, but when it comes to service from the (secretary of state's office), one must take a number and sit in a cold plastic chair,” he said. Rutherford has asked people to file their complaints on his Web site. Many have complained that they have waited for DMV offices to open at 10 a.m. Saturday, waited for two hours and were then told to go home because the office was closing. He said credit cards should be accepted at DMV offices. Most don't allow that now, he said. Hours should be extended so people who work days can use the office at night. Rutherford dismissed a reporter's suggestion that he was a heavy underdog in the race. White, who has been in Illinois politics for three decades, heads up the Jesse White Tumblers, a popular Chicago team that provides valuable training and entertainment for inner city youth. &#8220I don't have tumblers, but I have a plan,” he said, pointing to his suggestions for the DMV offices. &#8220Jesse White may be Goliath, but he is about to meet David,” he said. &#8220And David is Dan Rutherford.”