About Senator Christine Radogno
Christine Radogno has served as a State Senator since 1997 - representing portions of Will, Cook, and DuPage counties.
Before running for the State Senate, she served as LaGrange Village Trustee, LaGrange Liquor Commissioner, La Grange Economic Development Commissioner, and worked as a social worker at Mercy Center for Health Care Services.
Senator Radogno has been very active in the community. She founded Citizens Active in Reclaiming the Environment (CARE) to oppose the McCook Reservoir Project and the McCook and Summit incinerators. She serves on the board of Community Support Services and also serves as a member of the League of Women Voters, local chambers of commerce, and Business and Professional Women.
She is a member of the Senate Appropriations I, II and III committees and also is a member of the Transportation and Public Health committees. She is the Republican Spokesperson for the Appropriations II Committee.
Senator Radogno is a member of the Government Forecasting and Accountability Commission and also is a member and former co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators.
She holds a Master's degree in Social Work and a Bachelor's degree from Loyola University of Chicago. She graduated from Lyons Township High School.
Senator Radogno lives in Lemont with her husband, Nunzio. They have 3 adult children.
RADOGNO VISITS QUINCY
October 13, 2006 By: Doug Wilson, Quincy Herald-Whig
Illinois treasurer candidate Christine Radogno knows that people don't wake up in the morning thinking about the treasurer's race.
Radogno, a 10-year Illinois Senate member from LaGrange, says because voters don't get too excited about some political races it's up to candidates to make themselves known.
On Thursday, Radogno visited Quincy for a reception at a local home and a luncheon at Tony's Old Place. Overall, she probably met 100 people and got a chance to explain some of the issues in her campaign.
Radogno says experience is her biggest selling point.
“I've got 18 years in public service, 10 in the Senate,” Ra-dogno said.
The Republican serves on two Senate appropriations committees, which she says gives her a glimpse into the workings of state finances as well as state government.
Democrat nominee Alexi Giannoulias has no political experience, she says, and, at age 30, has worked only a few years at a bank that's owned primarily by his family.
Giannoulias' spending on advertising in the Democrat primary helped him defeat a candidate who was supported by the state central committee.
Radogno said it helps her campaign that Illinois Democrat Chairman Michael Madigan won't endorse Giannoulias because of a scandal involving bank loans to organized crime figures.
One promise Radogno makes to voters is that she'll speak out about poor financial decisions if she's elected treasurer.
RADOGNO PRESSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT CARD REFORMS
August 19, 2006 By: Copley News Service
CHICAGO - Measures to help prevent college students from getting mired in high-interest credit card debt were proposed Friday by Republican state treasurer nominee Christine Radogno.
The state senator from Lemont said if she were elected, she would create a financial education program for college students that the treasurer's office would administer.
She said she also would ask Illinois congressmen to push reforms in Washington that would restrict the way credit card companies recruit young customers on university campuses.
“This is an epidemic of gigantic proportions,” Radogno said in a news release. “College students are coming out of school with thousands of dollars in credit card bills before they even get jobs or pay back their student loans. That's no way to start out in life after college.”
Radogno's campaign said the average college graduate enters the working world with about $25,000 in debt from credit cards and student loans. Each college-age student typically has four credit cards, the campaign said.
A spokesman for Democratic treasurer nominee Alexi Giannoulias said he wasn't familiar with the details of Radogno's plan and couldn't comment. But the spokesman, Scott Burnham, said Giannoulias will soon propose a “financial literacy” program that teaches people how to save money and avoid debt.
Burnham criticized Radogno for not voting on a bill in 2003 that stabilized tuition rates so that a student at a public university pays the same rate during his or her college career. It eventually became law.
“If she were serious about protecting the financial interests of Illinois college students, she would have taken the time to show up and vote on the measure,” Burnham said.
Radogno said the criticism is “not particularly germane” to her credit card proposal. She said she did not support the 2003 tuition bill because it forces public colleges to pass higher costs onto succeeding groups of students.
EXPERIENCE COUNTS: RADOGNO WINS FIRST DEBATE
July 28, 2006
Lemont, IL - In the first debate between State Sen. Christine Radogno, the Republican nominee for Illinois Treasurer and her Democratic opponent, the issues of experience and the qualifications of both candidates were dominant factors as Radogno clearly was the superior candidate at the forum. Held downtown Chicago Friday, July 28, the candidate forum featuring Senator Radogno and her opponent Alexi Giannoulias, the Chicago banker, was sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners and was attended by about 70 people.
“The difference on experience was striking,” said attendee Senator Steve Rauschenberger. During the forum Radogno focused on programs she has proposed to improve the Treasurer’s Office, including initiatives to help women business owners and the small business and agri-business communities. “I didn’t hear any specifics from her opponent regarding anything,” said Senator Rauschenberger.
Radogno said she is hopeful the public is starting to pay attention to the Treasurer’s race and wants voters to begin looking at the two candidate’s records.
“The public and the media are becoming increasingly aware of my opponent’s short resume, his tendency to exaggerate that short resume, and his general lack of knowledge about state government.” “The voters of this state need to compare our records of public service,” Radogno said. Senator Radogno has worked on fiscal issues in the state Senate for 10 years, been a local village trustee and community activist, while he has never served in an elected office. Giannoulias admitted he has only worked for “about 4 years” for his family bank. He has no other work experience as an adult.
”>While Giannoulias claims to have been chief loan officer at the bank, he has been unable to provide clear and consistent answers regarding his role in millions of dollars of loans to a three time convicted felon with reputed ties to organized crime in Chicago. “If Giannoulias was in fact the chief loan officer, he obviously thinks it is okay to loan millions of dollars to a reputed mob figure and convicted felon. If he was not, then he has inflated his resume to deceive voters.” Radogno said. “An individual who either misrepresents his resume or who is comfortable loaning money to felons is not the type of person we want as our state treasurer.”
A number of programs and issues that impacted the treasurer’s office were discussed at their first debate. However, a majority of the questions surrounded the state’s financial situation in which the two candidates clashed on state spending.
“My opponent is for expansion of state programs at a time when we need to tighten our belts and get control of state spending,” Radogno stated. Giannoulias said he would provide domestic partner benefits to nonunion gay employees in the Treasurer’s office while Senator Radogno said she was not in favor of expanding existing benefits due to the poor fiscal condition of this state.
CANDIDATE FOR STATE TREASURER VISITS OLNEY
Published: July 25, 2006 by: Kevin Ryden, Olney Daily Mail
State Sen. Christine Radogno, of Lemont, was in Olney on Friday to visit with local Republicans at Olde Tyme Steakhaus and explain why she is running as a candidate for state treasurer.
She discussed the state's budget and explained that she and many others feel the state's fiscal health is failing.
“We really have some serious problems right now,” she said.
Last year, the state had $900 million in new revenue, but budgeted spending $1.4 billion.
There has been a lot of “financial wizardry” to gloss over the fact there is more spending than what is being taken in, she said.
She questioned some expenditures in the budget, including $30,000 for a photography exhibit at Chicago State University to recognize African-American graduates who became legislators since 1877.
“There is no place for that in the budget,” she said, adding there are many types of those expenditures that she said have been used to woo Democrats into voting for the budget.
Increases in spending need to be controlled so revenue can catch up, she said, but she wonders if there is a chance of escaping cuts in order to do that. “The question is can we get out of it without massive cuts,” she said.
Complaining that Republicans were not included in this year's budget discussions, Radogno said both sides need to be involved.
Current Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka has proposed making the budget public for seven days before voting, something Radogno said she supports.
While the All Kids insurance program sounds great, Radogno said there are no residency requirements and people from other states are allowed to sign up.
The primary issue is to be disciplined to not spend more funds than are available, she said.
During her visits to various areas of the state, Radogno said she has heard many complaints about state finances and anger from teachers about pensions being cut.
There have also been concerns about ethical issues, she said, adding, “People are so tired of the scandals,” she said. When people tell Radogno they are discouraged with politics, she tells them to understand that there are good people on both sides of the aisle.
When Topinka decided to run for governor, Radogno said she was encouraged to run by Topinka and others.
While she would make some changes to the office, Radogno believes Topinka has kept things running smoothly.
She believes that while she has been involved in public service for 18 years and has been a senator for 10 years, she feels the treasurer's office will be a good fit for her.
“I think my voice will be louder as treasurer,” she said.
She will go up against Alexi Giannoulias during the November election. Giannoulias is 30 years old, has worked three and half years at his father's bank and has no public-service experience, she said.
However, he spent $2 million during the primary, but Radogno thinks she can win the race with a little help.
“This is a race we can win, but I can't do it alone,” she said.
While she has been to Olney before, including attending the Republicans' Lincoln Day Dinner earlier this year, she plans to come back next month and possibly after that if she is elected.
“More importantly, I promise to come back after the election,” she said.
Radogno has served as a state senator since 1997 and represents portions of Cook, DuPage and Will counties. She is a member of the Senate Appropriations I, II and III committees and serves as the Republican spokeswoman for the Appropriations II Committee. She also serves on the Transportation and Public Health committees.
ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER VISITS THE COUNTY
Published: July 13, 2006 By: Barb Kromphardt, Bureau County Republican
PRINCETON – State Sen. Christine Radogno (R, Lemont) stopped in Princeton Thursday as part of her campaign to win the seat of Illinois treasurer being left vacant by Judy Barr Topinka.
Radogno will face Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias in the November election.
Radogno said the focus in this race is on the qualifications of the candidates. “We all want good government,” she said. “We all want to be sure that we have people in office that understand the office, that can handle the office, and can represent the taxpayers and the people all over the state as their advocate.”
Besides running various state programs, Radogno said the treasurer must weigh in on budget and fiscal issues. “It is a financial office that requires an understanding of state government in general and state government finance specifically,” she said. “I believe I have the background to do that job.”
Radogno has been in the General Assembly for 10 years, focusing primarily on budget and fiscal issues.
Another interest for Radogno is the large agricultural loan program run by the treasurer's office. Radogno said a panel of agricultural experts came up with a list of recommended changes for the program. In addition to increasing the loan amounts available to farmers, Radogno said they are also looking at adding some new categories of eligibility, such as agritourism.
Another change would allow people to borrow money to invest in renewable energy.
“This would allow people to borrow money to invest in those operations,” she said. “That will keep the investment pay off local, instead of having big out-of-state companies come in, do all the investing and then take the profits away.”
RADOGNO RECEIVES IEA ENDORSEMENT
July 12, 2006
Lemont, IL - Illinois' largest organization of education employees has endorsed State Senator Christine Radogno for Illinois Treasurer.
Radogno is the Republican nominee for Illinois Treasurer. On June 30, the Board of Directors for the Illinois Education Association unanimously accepted a recommendation from IPACE, the association's political action committee, that Radogno be recommended to IEA members in the November election.
I’m grateful to the IEA for their endorsement,” said Radogno. “I’ve worked hard to advocate on behalf of students and teachers with the goal being the highest quality education for Illinois children. I’m pleased that the IEA determined that my experience in public life dealing directly with finance and government uniquely qualifies me for the office of treasurer.” The IEA board unanimously concurred with IPACE by recommending Radogno, for Illinois Treasurer, the only statewide office not being sought by an incumbent. Radogno is the only Republican statewide candidate endorsed by the IEA, who plan to endorse in the governor’s race next month.
“As Illinois Treasurer I will strengthen innovative programs that benefit schools and students, like the Bright Start program which serves Illinois families by helping them save money for college,” said Radogno. “I will also intensify efforts to better educate Illinois schoolchildren about money and finance through Bank At School, an excellent program administered by the treasurer’s office that teaches children the value of saving and how to wisely handle money.” The Bank At School program helps more than 100,000 Illinois schoolchildren learn the fundamentals of money management through the operation of an in-school bank. Schools are partnered with financial institutions, which conduct a monthly “bank day” at the school where students open savings accounts and make regular deposits.
“IEA has recommended Senator Radogno since 1997 and we are pleased to recommend her for the office of State Treasurer. We are confident Sen. Radogno will use the office as a bully pulpit to advocate for public education,” said IEA President Ken Swanson. “IEA members believe that what matters most is the candidates' willingness and ability to advocate effectively for education employees and students,” he added.
The Illinois Education Association-NEA is comprised of more than 125,000 members, including, elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers. The Illinois Education Association-NEA mission is to effect excellence and equity in public education and to be the advocacy organization for all public education employees.
RADOGNO TOUTS LOW INTEREST RATES, HIGHER LIMITS FOR AGRICULTURE LOANS
Published: Thursday, July 6, 2006 by: Doug Wilson, Quincy Herald-Whig
State Sen. Christine Radogno believes she could do several things as Illinois treasurer to help agriculture.
During a stop at Quincy Regional Airport and stops at eight other cities on Wednesday, Radogno unveiled plans that would make the Alternative Agriculture Link Deposit Loan Program more accessible to farmers. The Republican nominee for treasurer said her priority list was compiled by farmers who served on a 10-member panel she formed earlier this year.
“Illinois farmers and agriculture industry experts tell me that we must increase loan amounts in the treasurer's Alternative Agriculture Link Deposit Loan Program to help them stay financially healthy and vital in today's economy,” Radogno said.
Under her plan the state would:
Radogno also wants to restore the Illinois Farm Development Authority as a body that's separate from the Illinois Finance Authority. She said the farm loan program is doing much less than it was before it was absorbed into the Illinois Finance Authority and was moved to Chicago.
Radogno, who has been in the Illinois Senate for 10 years, is running against Democrat Alexi Giannoulias of Chicago. Giannoulias recently came out with his own call for a loan program that would help retail gasoline operations pay for installing pumps to handle E-85 — a fuel comprised of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
TREASURER CANDIDATE: STATE FINANCES ARE A 'MESS'
Published: Thursday, June 8, 2006 by: Bob Holliday, Bloomington Pantagraph
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois’ financial health is “a mess,” the Republican candidate for state treasurer said Thursday.
“We’re spending more than we’re taking in,” said state Sen. Christine Radogno, who faces Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in November.
Radogno, who represents the 41st District and lives in Lemont, described herself as a fiscal conservative during a meeting with the Pantagraph Editorial Board.
“Let’s hold spending flat and let revenues catch up,” she said.
If that’s done, the state should get back on a firm footing in about three years, said Radogno, who represents parts of Will, Cook and DuPage counties in the state Senate.
The Oak Park native, who has been the Senate Republican spokeswoman for budget and fiscal issues since 2003, said the state’s finances are in bad shape because of “mismanagement of the economic downturn.”
Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, she said, increased spending while revenues lagged.
Radogno, who said her experience sets her apart from her opponent, is seeking the post being vacated by Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. Topinka is challenging Blagojevich for governor.
“I have a good sense of state government in general and know how state government works,” Radogno said.
However, she said her biggest obstacle to election is raising money to finance her campaign.
“I’m working hard to get the message out,” she said.
This includes forming an agriculture committee to collect information on how to improve the state treasurer’s agriculture loan program.
More than half of the 12-member committee will be from Central Illinois, she said.
Christine Radogno
Age: 54
Residence: Lemont
Occupation: Illinois state senator representing portions of Will, Cook and DuPage counties since 1997; Republican nominee for Illinois state treasurer
Education: Master’s degree in social work from Loyola University, Chicago
Family: Married with three children
WHERE'S DEM TREASURER CANDIDATE? TRY GOP WEB SITE
Published: June 7, 2006 By: Carol Marin, Sun Times Columnist
If you'd like to play the political equivalent of “Where's Waldo,” click on the Web site of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Up will pop the photos and names of the 2006 slate of candidates for statewide office.
Rod Blagojevich for governor. Pat Quinn for lt. governor. Lisa Madigan for attorney general. Jesse White for secretary of state. Dan Hynes for comptroller.
But wait. Where's Waldo? Where's Alexi Giannoulias for state treasurer?
Nowhere.
Giannoulias, 30, is the guy the party didn't endorse but who won the March 21 primary anyway. And unless Illinois Dems are just awfully slow in updating their Web site, his absence suggests the continuing antagonism that arose from his candidacy. The chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, House Speaker Michael Madigan, backed Knox County State's Attorney Paul Mangieri instead.
Madigan, who plays to win, was outflanked by Giannoulias, the upstart, ex-jock and very young banker.
Giannoulias had not only the financial backing of his wealthy family, the owners of Chicago's Broadway Bank, but the rock star power of Barack Obama, who cut a television ad that affirmed Giannoulias' credibility and clinched his victory.
But the primary is behind us and the November election is ahead. So how come Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee, isn't now on the Democratic Web site? I asked Madigan spokesman Steve Brown.
“He isn't?” said Brown. “That's news to me.”
How, I wondered, would Giannoulias go about getting on the Madigan-controlled Web site?
“I'll have to check,” said Brown, “and get back to you.”
No need.
Giannoulias has other problems right now. Some of them are borne of youth and inexperience. Though he grew up in a banking family, he hasn't had a lot of time to be an actual banker when you factor his four years in college, three years in law school, and the year he played pro basketball in Greece. That leaves only four years to establish himself as a bank executive.
It was inevitable that this newcomer to politics would encounter questions about his family's bank. And when the Tribune began to probe the millions of dollars of loans the bank had made to three questionable characters, two convicted felons and one federally indicted, alleged money-launderer, Giannoulias fumbled the ball a few too many times before he managed to plead “inexperience” and a regrettably “cavalier” approach to serious questions. As senior loan officer and vice president of Broadway, either he should have known more about these customers and didn't or, worse, knew exactly and didn't see a problem. Though the bank is accused of no illegal conduct, doing multi-million dollar deals with mobsters and felons can raise ethical problems for an aspiring state treasurer who would be entrusted with the state's money.
Still, Giannoulias is attractive, energetic and bright. He is working hard to win this race and Tuesday, when we met for breakfast, was on his way to Springfield to accept the endorsement of the million-member strong AFL-CIO of Illinois. He does not suffer from a lack of confidence. When I asked what he thought was his greatest challenge as a candidate, the thing he most needed to work on, he paused for a long time and then said, “Can I get back to you on that?”
Anytime.
But in the meantime, let's consider what Giannoulias' greatest challenge really is.
It is Christine Radogno.
A state senator since 1996, she, just like Giannoulias, upset the establishment. That's the year she defeated Bob Raica, a 10-year incumbent who represented Chicago and the southwest suburbs. Radogno, a moderate Republican, handed then-Senate President Pate Philip, a neanderthal conservative, his hat in that race. But she somehow also managed to work well with Philip after that, no small feat for anyone, especially a woman.
Since then, the 53-year-old Radogno has developed an excellent record, a fine reputation and considerable experience when it comes to state fiscal matters.
Let's return now to Mike Madigan for a minute.
Madigan, never a good loser, is reportedly not ready to do so again in this race. Though no one will speak on the record, a number of pols say privately that Madigan and Bill Lipinski, scions of the Southwest Side, are quietly planning to throw their weight behind Radogno the Republican, not Giannoulias the Democrat.
Though Giannoulias has strong support from black leaders like Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and state Sen. James Meeks, it's not clear whether Barack Obama will go out on another limb for him this time around.
And some, like Paul Green, head of Roosevelt University's Center For Politics, believes “the suburbs will decide this race.” More than that, he says, “Though [GOP gubernatorial nominee Judy Baar] Topinka has a shot in the governor's race, Radogno right now is the Republicans' greatest hope” in November.
This is the race to watch.
THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN REPORTS ON CHRISTINE RADOGNO'S MEET & GREET IN CARBONDALE
Published May 28,2006 by: The Southern Illinoisan
CARBONDALE - State Sen. Christine Radogno stopped by Carbondale on Saturday afternoon to pitch herself to local voters as the Republican state treasurer candidate to replace Judy Baar Topinka in the November election.
Radogno, of Lemont, hosted an hour-long meet and greet session at the Hunter Building after taking part in a parade at HerrinFesta Italiana in downtown Herrin.
“It's a priority for me to get out, meet people and let them know who I am,” said Radogno, who has represented portions of Will, Cook and DuPage counties since 1997.
When Topinka decided to run for governor, Radogno said she saw an opportunity to put her ten years of state government experience to work. She currently serves on the senate appropriations committees and since 2003 has been the senate republican spokeswoman on budget and fiscal issues. She will face democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias on the Nov. 7 ballot.
On the campaign trail, Radogno said she's heard a variety of concerns from voters, many centering on the recent passage of a $56 billion budget that she says is inundated with new programs that the state can't afford.
“Mostly people are talking about the state of the state,” she said. “They are frankly alarmed at the direction the state is going.
“For example, there is a pretty good awareness of the state's under-funded pension system and the fact that it's setting us up for a problem,” she said. “Especially in university towns like Carbondale, employees of the university are particularly concerned about that.”
Radogno said the state needs to prioritize its spending and resist the urge to create and expand state programs.
“We also need to stop borrowing until we repay the debt we have already accumulated,” she said. “Assigning new revenue growth to pay back a portion of the borrowed pension funds would be a good start.”
Improving the state's job climate is also on Radogno's list of goals, citing Whirlpool Corp.'s recently announced plan to close a plant in Herrin and eliminate 1,000 local jobs.
“These jobs are moving across state lines, and it's not like they are going to another country,” she said. “That's alarming. It's clear that we don't have a healthy job climate in this state.”
State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, was on hand to put in a good word for the fellow Republican.
“Radogno is well regarded statewide, and would be a very capable and sensible replacement for Judy (Baar Topinka),” Bost said. “She has a lot of common sense when it comes to budgetary matters.”
If elected, Radogno said she looks forward to offering an “independent voice” on state issues.
“I've done that as a senator, but I've been one of 59 voices,” she said. “I think my voice will be a little louder as state treasurer and I feel like I am well prepared to do it.”
CHRISTINE RADOGNO, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR STATE TREASURER, VISITS SHELBY COUNTY
Published: May 19, 2006 by: Shelbyville Daily Union
Christine Radogno, the Republican candidate for the office of Illinois State Treasurer toured the district of State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), and stopped in Shelbyville to talk about the campaign. Radogno and Righter had various appointments set up throughout Righter’s 55th District to talk about the State Treasurer’s race.
When the current Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka decided to run for governor, Senator Radogno saw an opportunity to put her ten years of state government finance experience to work; announcing her bid for treasurer.
“I have been lucky in many ways, with mid-term in my Senate District and when Judy Baar Topinka decided to run for Governor, that created an open seat, so that all set up pretty nicely,” said Radogno. “That particular office is a good match with the background that I have in the Legislature.”
Radogno has served in the Illinois State Senate since 1997 representing portions of Will, Cook, and DuPage counties. During her tenure in the Senate, she has served as a member of Senate Appropriations I, II and III committees, and is the Republican Spokesperson for Appropriations II. In 2003, Senator Radogno became the Spokesman for the Senate Republican caucus on all budget and fiscal issues. Senator Radogno is also a member of the Transportation and Public Health committees.
Senator Righter talked about Radogno’s qualifications for the Treasurer’s Office.
“I think what has happened over the last four years has set up some significant opportunities for Republicans,” said Righter. “Senator Radogno’s race is a perfect example of what we think the voters will look at as the difference between the Republican candidates and the Democratic candidates. She is extraordinary qualified for the post of Treasurer.”
Righter went on to say he believes that by virtue of serving in the Senate, Radogno has the benefit of knowing many down-state people from the legislature and is familiar with the issues facing the voters in Central Illinois.
“One of the virtues of running for an office in 102 counties, when you have served in the legislature is, that Chris (Radogno) is close to a number of down-state colleagues, really on both sides of the aisle, and she knows a lot already, (even though she is not from down here) about our concerns, agricultural interests, the challenges we have with economic development, and that is part of what makes her such a great candidate,” continued Righter. “She had statewide feel before she decided to run.”
Radogno talked about the recent budget that was passed by the legislature.
“The bottom line is, we got 900 million in new revenue and the spending plan was $1.4 billion so there is a half billion dollar gap, and that is a problem, you can’t run your house that way, I can’t run mine that way,’ said Radogno.
She also talked about the governor borrowing from pension funds, and doubling the state’s general obligation debt during the time the governor has been in office.
“It is certainly not a really balanced budget, it is balanced on paper because of some the accounting,” continued Radogno.
Radogno feels the $56 billion state budget passed last week shows the state has lost sight of its fiscal priorities and she called the spending plan put forth by Governor Rod Blagojevich “irresponsible.”
“It is irresponsible leadership and flawed fiscal strategy on their part,” said Radogno. “We need to better prioritize our spending, and resist the urge to create and expand state programs. We also need to stop borrowing until we repay the debt we have already accumulated.”
Senator Christine Radogno holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago. She lives in Lemont with her husband, Nunzio. They have 3 adult children.
LATEST CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY ON TREASURER'S RACE
Published: April 28, 2006 by: Editorial, Chicago Tribune
Chicago, IL - Illinois voters are blessed with an excellent candidate for state treasurer.
No, not Alexi Giannoulias, the Democrat on the ballot. He has some serious issues to explain. They first surfaced March 15 in a Tribune scoop with a striking headline: “Loans to crime figure haunt state treasurer hopeful.”
Six weeks later, Giannoulias has only made matters worse. The more he tries to wriggle out of fully discussing the millions of dollars in loans his family's Broadway Bank of Chicago gave to a convicted felon, the more questions he raises. Giannoulias, 30, is the senior loan officer and vice president of the bank.
The Tribune's David Jackson reported Thursday that, during an interview, Giannoulias cited bank privacy laws as he gave only limited answers about Broadway Bank's more than $20 million in loans to companies controlled by convicted bookmaker and prostitution ring promoter Michael Giorango. Among those deals: The Tribune reported that Broadway Bank in the last year has extended more than $6 million in mortgage loans to a company called 1201 South Western LLC run by Giorango and another convicted bookmaker, Demitri Stavropoulos.
Giannoulias also didn't want to comment during the interview on the bank's relationship with another borrower, Boris Stratievsky, whose companies received millions of dollars in loans before his federal indictment last year on money-laundering charges.
Remember, Giannoulias isn't running for a board seat at some mosquito abatement district. He envisions himself treasurer of the State of Illinois–an enterprise that needs 11 digits just to define the size of its budget.
Democratic voters in the March 21 Illinois primary had a better choice than Giannoulias: Paul Mangieri has a strong record as Knox County state's attorney and gets high marks for his ethical conduct.
Primary voters went for Giannoulias. Soon enough, though, all Illinois voters can express their opinion on his fitness for office.
We need to stress that Giannoulias hasn't been charged with any illegal activity.
But we also need to stress that, for Giannoulias and his party, this is not going to get any better.
What Giannoulias and the Democrats do about that is their business. But the tarnished and tongue-tied nominee, tough questions trailing in his wake, faces one of the Republicans' best candidates in the November general election: state Sen. Christine Radogno of Lemont.
She's the excellent candidate we mentioned at the start of this editorial. We'll see whom the people of Illinois choose as their treasurer.
RADOGNO SAYS OPPONENT LACKS EXPERIENCE
April, 27, 2006
Lemont, IL - State Senator Christine Radogno, Republican candidate for Illinois State Treasurer, said today that her opponent’s most recent comments about millions of dollars in loans made by his family’s bank to organized crime figures emphasizes his lack of experience and credibility.
Giannoulias came under fire in recent weeks after it was disclosed publicly that Broadway Bank, in Chicago , where he works as a senior loan officer, made mortgage loans to Michael Giorango, a convicted organized crime figure who reportedly ran a nationwide prostitution ring. When he was interviewed in March and April by the media, Giannoulias denied knowing that Giorango was a convicted criminal and called the mobster, “a very nice person.” After another news story surfaced disclosing additional multi-million dollar loans made to Giorango, just last year when Giannoulias was the chief loan officer, Giannoulias declined to do any media interviews for two weeks and blamed his misstatements on his lack of experience.
“This is a very serious issue,” said Radogno. “What we have here is a candidate for the highest ranking fiscal office in the State of Illinois who admits that he was too inexperienced to directly talk to the media about his very own job which he claims makes him uniquely qualified to be the state treasurer.”
“Now we find that Mr. Giannoulias’ banking experience isn’t all he claimed during the primary campaign. His entire work history as a “banker” is less than four years of working for his father who owns the bank,” said Radogno. “Even that experience doesn’t appear to be all that significant in light of Mr. Giannoulias’ claim that a senior loan officer has little or no knowledge of these loans.”
“The state’s Treasurer should be a leader who will make sound, safe and conservative decisions,” said Radogno. “The state treasurer should not be an inexperienced, risk-taker.” Mr. Giannoulias has also publicly stated that he would make financial decisions as Treasurer based on getting the highest rate of return. “As treasurer I will safeguard the state’s money and make wise investments based on industry accepted banking and sound investment practices.”
State Senator Christine Radogno has served in the Illinois Senate since 1997 representing parts of Will, Cook and DuPage Counties .
Radogno has served as a member of the Senate Appropriations I, II and III committees and is the Republican spokesperson for Appropriations II. In 2003, Radogno became the spokesperson for the Senate Republican caucus on all budget and fiscal issues.
RADOGNO AGAINST FUND CHARGEBACKS
April 5, 2006
Springfield, IL - Republican Candidate for Treasurer, Christine Radogno, provided a glimpse of how she would treat her role as Treasurer by voting no on creating two new dedicated state funds that would be subject to the Governor’s fund sweep.
Senate Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 927 both created funds related to disease prevention and treatment; however, the content of the legislation was not at the heart of her opposition. Radogno felt that while both proposals were good ideas, she was adamant against voting for legislation that would allow revenue to be taken from these funds and used for general state spending.
During the last four years, transferring revenue to the General Revenue Fund from IIlinois’ dedicated funds has become routine practice. “I agreed with the intent of the funds, but I am not in favor of setting up a new fund only to see it drained a year later,” explained Radogno.
She noted that both SB 1001 and SB 927 were almost identical to two other pieces of legislation, HB 4456 and SB 2229, with the only difference being the ability of the governor’s office to skim revenue from the fund.
“Over the past several years, this administration has taken over $1.2 billion in dedicated funds similar to these to counterbalance their inability to practice fiscal restraint,” she stated. “I can not in good conscience vote for legislation which would provide any more sources for this governor to exploit to expand state spending.”
In addition to opposing additional funds susceptible to chargebacks; Radogno also applauds the current State Treasurer, Judy Baar Topinka, for blocking past chargebacks. “Treasurer Topinka is serving the people of Illinois well by standing up against Governor Blagojevich and saying no to these transfers.” It is the State Treasurer’s role to authorize the fund transfers. Radogno added, “As Treasurer, I will continue Treasurer Topinka’s position to block funds from being swept for uses other than the intended purpose.”
Both Senate Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 297 have been sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
RADOGNO WANTS TO HOLD THE LINE ON SPENDING
February 15, 2006
Springfield, IL - As Spokesman for the Senate Appropriations Committee and Republican Candidate for Treasurer, Christine Radogno (R- Lemont) is again taking aim at Governor Rod Blagojevich's continued irresponsibility and arrogance following today's budget address.
Illinois is operating with an all-time high of state debt, spending more than ever before, Radogno stated. This governor has the audacity to tout his fiscal responsibility while spinning numbers, hiding his massive fund raids and increasing taxes and fees on businesses, she added.
Governor Blagojevich inundated today's budget address with new programs such as universal preschool and college tuition tax credit. Overall, he outlined a budget with a $1.4 Billion increase over last year's pension funded state budget.
We need to better prioritize our spending, and resist the urge to create and expand state programs, Radogno said. We also need to stop borrowing until we re-pay the debt we have already accumulated. Earmarking new revenue growth to pay back a portion of the borrowed pension funds would be a good start.
The Governor's budget address also called for businesses to pay an additional $138 million in taxes. I am disappointed that the lack of job growth in Illinois has not taught Governor Blagojevich that the key to building our economy is to provide incentives to businesses, not tax them out of our state, Radogno said.
As Treasurer, I will be an advocate for fiscal responsibility on behalf of the taxpayers of Illinois , Radogno stated. I will start the job now by saying no to this budget.
Senator Radogno has been in the Illinois Senate since 1997 and currently serves as Republican spokesman for the Senate Appropriations II Committee and as a member of the Appropriations I and III and Transportation committees. She also serves on the Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission, the Economic and Fiscal Commission, and the Senate Select Committee on Public Pension Investments. She is running unopposed for the Republican nomination for Treasurer on March 21st.'