MEET
PATRICIA KLADIS-SCHIAPPA
For DuPage County Clerk
Integrity | Responsibility | Transparency
Restore Confidence in the Office Responsible
for Elections and Vital Records in DuPage County
Why am I a candidate for DuPage County Clerk? "Philotimo."
I did not choose to run because of ambition or politics; I chose to run because of "philotimo." I am a lawyer and first-generation Greek American who is guided by philotimo - a uniquely Greek concept that does not have a direct translation in any other language. At its heart, it means duty – but it is more than that.
Philotimo is an internal moral compass – it embodies values and virtues that include integrity, dignity, honor and pride. Philotimo is stepping out of your comfort zone to do what is right for society and to do so with sincerity. It means acting at the highest level of ethics because we respect ourselves and all others. It means doing good without expecting anything in return.
This sense of duty has catapulted me into politics. I have never had political aspirations, but the current activity (or inactivity) of this office has created a sense of duty in me to tackle this gargantuan task. I am a candidate who will put service before politics. I am a candidate that will put integrity before ego.
The Clerk's office should be built on duty: duty to the voters, duty to the records, duty to the people of DuPage County. I am proud to be your candidate for the Office of the DuPage County Clerk (which includes the Election Division). Philotimo is what I bring to this race, and it is how I will serve as your next Clerk of DuPage County.
That's my why. Not ambition. Not politics. Philotimo.
Qualifications | Education | Volunteerism
Patricia Kladis-Schiappa is an attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience. She concentrates her trial and appellate practice in workers’ compensation and has conducted hundreds of hearings throughout the entire State of Illinois. In her two decades of legal experience, she has represented employees and employers at all levels before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and appellate levels. Patricia has previously served as a Hearing Officer for the Illinois Tollway Authority, where she presided over hearings for alleged violations of The Toll Highway Act. She also finds time to provide gratis legal counsel to first responders as they hold a special place in her heart.
Patricia is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly known as The John Marshall Law School) (J.D.). Patricia served as an Executive Board Member of The John Marshall Law School Moot Court Program. Patricia is a mentor to young lawyers as she values helping the next generation. Since graduating law school over 20 years ago, Patricia regularly judges her law school’s intra-scholastic moot court competition, where law students learn and develop their appellate advocacy skills.
Patricia has always given back to her community. She has volunteered at her children’s grammar and high schools whether it be monitoring lunch time, serving on Parent-Teacher Advisory Committees, or chairing fundraisers. Patricia has served as a poll watcher and Election Judge in past elections. As a Burr Ridge resident, she also served on the Census Committee to assure census participation by the residents of Burr Ridge, which was vitally important for adequate funding, accurate representation and effective governance. She is a member of the Assistance League Foundation; a philanthropic program that supports neighbors in need throughout DuPage and western Cook counties. As a first-generation Greek American, Patricia is also a very proud member of the Hellenic Bar Association and is fluent in Greek.
Patricia lives in Burr Ridge with her husband Tony Schiappa, and they have been married for 24 years. Their home is full of love with three children, three dogs and two chinchillas. She enjoys gardening and playing competitive tennis.
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