By Bill Stokes, Publisher of Springfield Scene Magazine
As a former owner of a public records research firm that conducted real estate title searches across counties throughout Illinois, I have firsthand experience in recognizing a well-run county recorder’s office. Under Josh Langfelder’s leadership, Sangamon County stands out, leading the field in maintaining real estate and public record documents with exceptional efficiency and precision.
For the past 16 years, Josh Langfelder has served as county recorder with integrity, dedication, and vision. Across his four terms, he has brought about transformative changes, making it easier, faster, and more transparent for residents to access county records. This November, for the first time since his initial election, he faces a challenger, Frank Lesko.
Lesko, a familiar name as Springfield’s City Clerk, stated in an interview with Illinois Times that he would need to consult people outside the recorder’s office to determine if anything needs to be improved, should he win the position. He further admitted that he saw no issues with how Langfelder is currently running the office. To me, this suggests that Lesko is simply seeking a new job—an insufficient reason to elect him to such an important role.
Josh Langfelder has the experience, the track record, and the vision to continue serving as our county recorder, and he deserves to be re-elected.
