Cook County Clerk

What I expected. Not terribly friendly, but it is connected to a courthouse so that makes sense. I got there at 7:30 and there was no line. Line started forming at 8:10, then by 8:20 there were 10 people in line. They let people in 5 at a time. If you want to be first in line get there at 8am. There was only one clerk at the birth certificate/marriage license area (Suite 149) so if you get there late I can imagine there would be significant wait times. I was in and out in 10 minutes to get a birth certificate. I’ve been waiting 5 months for it to come in the mail. WAY better than trying to get through by phone or waiting for the mail to come.

I went to the clerk's office today (8/7/2020) to file our marriage license and application and to get marriage certificates because I was told by another clerk employee that because they're behind, it would take 4-8 weeks by mail. There is a free parking garage there. Wheelchair accessible entrance. Not sure about wheelchair accessible parking cuz I didn't look for it. I got there by 8am and was second in the line outside the building (building has a lot of other things besides clerk's office. Mainly courtrooms maybe?). Several other folks lined up shortly after 8am and even more as it got closer to 9. There are two walkways: one for employees who went in right away. And one for visitors who could go in starting at 8:30. There were signs out indicating there would be temperature checks (on forehead) and screening questions. It would have also been good if this info had been on their website as well. There were no signs or info on website that said masks were required or with instructions for how to properly wear them. But everyone I saw had a mask on once they went inside. The temp check folks might have been enforcing that. No signs outside or info on website said that there would be metal detectors and bag screening machines once inside. I didn't realize that and accidentally had a box cutter in my bag. Security was super weird about it. As if I was actively threatening them despite asking them to just take it or let me throw it out because I needed to get inside asap. They also got way to close to me. They got super irritated with me and told me I had to put it in my car. Telling me not to hide it. I would have trashed it outside, but I was worried they'd say that was hiding it. It was super upsetting since I'd very carefully planned my trip to avoid as much exposure as possible but this snag increased my proximity to people and the amount of time in the building. After rushing to my car and back, security out front thankfully let me go in right away instead of going to back of line. But by time i got to Clerk's office (further in the building), the folks originally in front of me in the line outside had finished their business and were leaving after 15 minutes inside. I on the other hand waited in the line at the clerk's office for about 20 more minutes. Once I got to the window it was about 10 minutes total to state my business, pay with card (they don't take personal checks), and get my certificates. While I was there I noticed two workers who had their masks below their noses. On way out, there were a lot of people waiting around inside--like dozens. No one was waiting to get in the building by then. I am grateful to the workers there, but this is not safe for them or us if masks aren't worn correctly by all. And if you can wait at all to do your business online or by mail, I recommend that. I unfortunately needed the paperwork sooner. A previous review said they only let a few people in at a time, and that's true for the clerk's office, but you're still gonna be inside the building when you're waiting in line to get into the clerk's office. And even though it kinda spacious, it's still a lot of people inside breathing the same air.

Impossible to get hold of anybody and, if do, they talk into you like if you owe the money and refuse to pay.nWHEN IN REALITY- we pay their salaries. And insurance. And pensions. That WE DON’T HAVE Ourselves.nCook County at its best.

I would give this office a 0 if Google allowed. Got my first traffic ticket and called multiple times to gather information and was either hung up on or the number listed on the website was disconnected (why list a non-working number?). Finally went into the office and had THE WORST customer service. Being in customer service myself I always make it a point to be kind to those servicing me because I have been in their shoes. However, I do know there are ppl out there that shouldn't be in customer service and this lady was one of them. She directly insulted my intelligence, rushed in getting me to leave like she didn't have time to answer my questions, and talked over me and interrupted me while I was asking questions. Needless to say I didn't get anything answered and left more confused and now angered than before. Completely unprofessional and a waste of tax payers dollars for just horrible service.

Checked twice before heading over what time they close. Website and online says 7pm, got there and a very polite security officer informed me they close at 4:30pm starting June 1st. Today is July 31st. They had almost 2 months to update their information. I will now h read back over tomorrow and try again.