2/2/2010

Thank you to my family. Without your love and support I would not be here. Thank you to our current State Treasurer. I wish him well tonight. And finally to all my staff, friends, supporters and the many volunteers who stood out in the cold handing out literature, putting up signs and everything else to help us be where we are today. Thank you.

Since starting this journey six months ago, I traveled across our vast, diverse state from cities to farmland. From Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs to central, western, and southern Illinois.

From Rockford, East St. Louis, Peoria, and back, I met remarkable, amazing people--people who encouraged and supported me along the way. People from all walks of life--teachers, factory workers, and farmers. I met their families and listened to their concerns. They shared with me their hopes and dreams for the future. They reinforced what I know to be true-that Illinois is a great state-a state of hardworking, industrious, and caring people who want and deserve a government that works best for them. A government that puts people first.
Throughout my life, one of my measures of success has been how many people I'm able to serve. From my community work in central Illinois and southern Cook County to my current service as chief of staff to the State Treasurer-I have put people first. I have championed the fight to improve efficiency and eliminate government waste.

When the current Treasurer and I took office, we imposed the strictest ethics rules in the state by putting limits on lobbyist activities and prohibiting contributions from contractors, employees and banks. And, every day since, I have fought to make the Treasurer's Office more transparent and accessible to all people.
If you remember anything I say tonight, remember this, I promise to safe- guard your money as if it were my own. Everyone knows I can be tight with a dollar-especially when it comes to the public's dollar. I'll be a Treasurer who values fiscal responsibility and who brings to state government an understanding of the struggles our families face every day. I know it's tough, but please know you're not alone. By working together, we can make sure that government finds solutions to tough problems and puts people first again.

My experience as chief of staff, a state legislator and a community advocate - make me the best qualified candidate for Illinois State Treasurer. As your Treasurer, I will make it my highest priority to develop sound fiscal policy and, without fail, protect our economic future.
In these challenging economic times, we need steady, proven leadership-especially when it comes to investing and protecting taxpayers' money. I believe the Treasurer's Office should work for everyone no matter where they live. I will continue to expand the satellite office program, which allows people to receive services without traveling to Chicago or Springfield. I will push my staff to continue to educated people, young and old alike, through our financial literacy programs. I believe that special interests should not trump people's interests. As your Treasurer I will continue the ban on accepting contributions from organizations that do business with the Treasurer's Office. I challenge my opponent to adhere to the same ethical standards for raising money for his campaign as I have done in mine.

I hope you will join me in my campaign to make our state government run more efficiently and effectively for all people.

The journey doesn't stop here. Starting tonight, we need to come together-Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike to make sure that elected leaders are serving the people that choose them. I will be such a leader. I will be a Treasurer who values service - I will use my experiences both in government and life to serve the best interest of the people. As your next State Treasurer I will always put the people first.

Thank you.