Illinoisans are seven weeks away from voting on six statewide government offices, which means they have at least 12 candidates to get to know (plus third-party candidates in some races) and decide whether or not they will vote for them in a short period of time.
Here are two of those candidates' cases to Illinois voters in their own words. Republican state Rep. Tom Cross and Democrat state Sen. Mike Frerichs hope to persuade Illinoisans that each is the better choice for Illinois Treasurer.
From Cross:
As Treasurer, I intend to form a committee of the best and brightest minds in the Illinois' financial community to provide advice and strategic direction in achieving the aforementioned investment goals. I also recognize that we exist in a global economy and to ensure Illinois taxpayers receive the best return for their investment, I will implement a strategy that maximizes returns and minimizes risk, while also seeking out investment options across the United States and even the world...
What would happen under Frerichs' investment strategy? First, Illinois would divest itself of Israel bonds, even though they have a higher yield than both U.S. Treasury bonds and other foreign bond offerings. In addition, Israel has never missed payment or defaulted. Secondly, Illinois would retreat from most of its commercial paper and U.S. Treasury Bonds and Agency bonds. In short, nearly 80 percent of its current portfolio, one that is beating industry benchmarks, would be reallocated to Illinois state bonds and Illinois agency bonds...
The Treasurer of Illinois is responsible for over $17 billion worth of investments and the very last thing taxpayers can afford is an ill-conceived political agenda driving our investment strategy.
From Frerichs:
I have worked for months now with a team of financial experts to study the state's investment strategies. I will work from Day One as Treasurer to invest in a diverse portfolio to seek strong returns for taxpayers. By modernizing and expanding programs already in place, my proposals will support Illinois entrepreneurs in high-tech fields, help our veterans get access to needed capital, help families afford college, and even support the continued modernization of Illinois agriculture. The Treasurer's office has a wide variety of tools that will give taxpayers more bang for their buck than traditional government programs, creating benefits that go beyond the initial returns to create more jobs and provide a stronger more diversified economy...
Mr. Cross' false attacks on increased investment in Illinois are particularly disheartening. Just six years ago, I co-sponsored legislation with Tom Cross to promote a program to invest Illinois tax dollars in Illinois to promote embryonic stem cell research. Tom Cross' recent blustery attacks are just the kind of dishonest hypocrisy and partisanship Illinoisans are tired of. I hope that Mr. Cross will give voters the honesty they deserve and that Reboot Illinois stands for over the closing weeks of the campaign instead of more politics-as- usual.
See Cross' and Frerichs' full arguments about their views on the future of the Illinois Treasurer's office at Reboot Illinois.
