Election 2023: Democrat Eileen Albillar For Bucks Co. Clerk Of Courts

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Democrat Eileen Hartnett Albillar is running for the job of Bucks County Clerk of Courts. She faces a challenge from Republican Jeff Hall Gale in the General Election.

Biographical Information
Name: Eileen Hartnett Albillar, MSW
Age: 49
Town of residence: Warrington Township
Position sought: Clerk of Courts
Are you an incumbent? No
Party affiliation: Democrat
Family: Husband Josh, a corporal with the Central Bucks Regional Police Department; a daughter Emily (age 11); and son Andrew (age 8).
Education: Master’s in social work, Boston University; B.A., Mount Holyoke College.
Occupation: Social worker; director of community engagement at the Bucks County Opportunity Council

Questions

1. What are the top issues currently facing your position and how do you plan to address them?

An independent government office and the custodian of criminal files for Bucks County, the Clerk of Courts office needs to be transparent and accessible to the public, and responsive to the needs of those we serve. Compliance with new laws as they are passed in the legislature, such as immediate notice of bail reduction, requires the ability to work swiftly and seamlessly to adapt. The Clerk of Courts office must be run with a strict adherence to regulations and laws while providing excellent customer service, and ultimately be good stewards of taxpayer money. As a seasoned leader in county government and non-profit administration, I will ensure that the office continues to be run with efficiency and that our staff are well-equipped to meet the needs of the courts and constituents, by supporting and guiding a highly professional and hardworking staff.

2. Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your position.

The Clerk of Courts can and should positively impact public safety and the local economy through good governance. In 2020, my predecessor implemented a new program to collect outstanding fines, costs, fees, and victim restitution monies owed in criminal cases. So far, $1.5 million has been recovered, and it is my priority to continue to support and expand this program to increase recovery of funds for crime victims, Bucks County taxpayers, and the Commonwealth. I also plan to begin an initiative to coordinate with local re-entry programs, to increase opportunities for offenders to pay down their court-ordered payments. Rates of recidivism have been shown to be positively affected by the engagement of offenders, both reducing chances of re-offending, and increasing payments of debts owed. I will also work with the team to increase efficiencies in the bail posting system.

3. What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office?

I have more than 22 years of experience as a leader and public servant, working to improve my community and the quality of life for residents. I served on the Warrington Township Board of Supervisors for five years, elected as vice chair in 2022 and chair in 2023. During my term, we successfully created a K-9 unit, built a new police station, added several new law enforcement officers, and for the first time in the history of the Department and became an accredited law enforcement agency. We also implemented the Co-Responder program within the department, which pairs social service professionals with police officers to divert people from the criminal justice system. My experience in county government and non-profit organizations includes managing more than $5 million in annual budgets, with federal, state, local, and private funding, and launching multiple pilot programs to increase health, safety, employment, and other services for the most marginalized members of our communities. I have been an advocate and champion for persons with disabilities; runaway, homeless, and adjudicated youth; and low-income families and seniors, throughout my career. I have always been and will continue to be a leader in improving my community by bringing a critical perspective to public decision-making.