THE RACE
Two Democrats are battling for their party’s nomination in the race to be Illinois treasurer, a job Alexi Giannoulias is giving up to run for Senate. The treasurer is the state’s chief banker, whose responsibilities include investing the state
THE RACE Two Democrats are battling for their party’s nomination in the race to be Illinois treasurer, a job Alexi Giannoulias is giving up to run for Senate. The treasurer is the state’s chief banker, whose responsibilities include investing the state’s money and coming up with programs to help consumers do the same with their own cash. Losses of $150 million by the office’s Bright Start college savings program highlight what’s at stake. Republican Dan Rutherford and Green Party candidate Scott Summers are running unopposed in their primaries. THE CANDIDATES Democrats: —Robin Kelly, 53, became chief of staff for Giannoulias in 2007 after four years as a state representative. She’s campaigning as the logical successor to her boss and notes that she helped oversee some of the office’s most successful programs and initiatives. —Justin Oberman, 35, son of Chicago Alderman Marty Oberman, is making his first run for political office after years in aviation and security with the federal government and in the private sector. He says his experience managing hundreds of employees and contractors and a $150 million budget with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security make him uniquely qualified to manage the state’s money. THE ISSUES —Bright Start: While Kelly was chief of staff, part of Bright Start lost $150 million that Illinois families had put aside for college. The losses were the responsibility of the investment firm hired by the treasurer’s office, but Oberman accuses Kelly of poor oversight and of hiding the extent of the problem. Kelly rejects Oberman’s accusations as an "ongoing rant" about a program that, overall, has been a success. —Home loans: Oberman proposes investing state money in banks that agree to offer affordable home loans to families with the ability to repay the debt. —Jobs: Oberman says the treasurer’s office can use its investing power to promote jobs in Illinois. He proposes investing state funds in promising businesses, particularly those related to transportation and green technology, and in manufacturing equipment for high-speed rail service. THE HORSERACE Kelly has received more than 100 endorsements, including the influential American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the largest newspapers in the state. In backing Kelly, most point to her experience in state politics and with the treasurer’s office. Oberman has picked up a few noteworthy supporters himself, including former Sen. Adlai Stevenson and U.S. Rep. Phil Hare. THE QUOTES Kelly: "I am the only candidate who fully understands the role of the state treasurer and the important role that it plays in the lives of Illinois taxpayers." Oberman: "My campaign for treasurer is about creating jobs for people across Illinois and leading by example to restore ethics and integrity in state government so that we’re viewed as a desirable place to do business." THE NET: Kelly: www.robinfortreasurer.com Oberman: www.obermanforillinois.com Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.