8/10/2009 - Friends of Robin Kelly Press Release

ROBIN KELLY LAUNCHES STATE TREASURER’S CAMPAIGN WITH PLEDGE TO PUT THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS FIRST
Treasurer’s Chief of Staff, Former State Legislator Traveling to Chicago, Normal and Peoria Today

CHICAGO - Robin Kelly, chief of staff to Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and former south suburban state representative, today officially launched her campaign for Illinois State Treasurer with events in Chicago, Normal and Peoria, IL.

Joined by supporters and family, Robin pledged to be a steady leader Illinois families can count on to put people ahead of politics and smart policies ahead of personal profits.

"Hard times like these call for steady proven leadership-especially when it comes to investing and protecting the money of Illinois residents," said Robin. "I know firsthand how the twists and turns of life can affect one's financial health. I will make it my highest priority to wisely invest taxpayers' money, develop sound fiscal policy, safeguard Illinois' tax dollars and, without fail, protect the economic future of Illinois."

"I won't be the wealthy candidate in this race, but I will be the people's candidate. And that's how it should be-helping people over political gain, smart policies over personal profits."

"This is a grassroots campaign-that will be led, driven and about all the people of Illinois-from every corner of this great state," continued Robin. "Together we can do right by the people of Illinois. Together we can bring back trust in government. Together we can make a government that puts people first again."

From her community work in central Illinois and southern Cook County to her ground-breaking service as chief of staff to State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Robin has made helping people in Illinois her number one priority.

Working as a counselor in Peoria during the 1980s, Robin saw firsthand the impact a struggling economy can have on working families hit hard by a changing economy and labor conflict. As director of community affairs in the Village of Matteson, where she currently lives with her family, Robin learned the importance of attracting and retaining viable businesses and its effect on the tax base.

In 2002, wanting to bring about change and a new direction in the south suburbs, she defied skeptics by challenging a 10-year incumbent state representative. It was a hard-fought campaign, but Robin proved to be a tireless candidate, and she was elected to the Illinois General Assembly to represent the 38th legislative district.

As a state representative, Robin continued to be a strong, effective advocate for Illinois residents. She sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bills protecting victims of consumer fraud, supporting economic development, and improving mass transit. She also supported landmark legislation to protect victims of domestic violence.

Robin joined Treasurer Giannoulias as his chief of staff in January 2007 and, leveraging her experience in the legislature and in community development, she helped him turn the $17 billion agency around by improving efficiencies, making the office more accessible to people throughout Illinois, and demanding stronger ethical guidelines.

Originally from New York, she came to Illinois to attend Bradley University in Peoria where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees. She later received her Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University. Knowing the importance of education, she continues to mentor and encourage young people to help them build a solid foundation for the future. In 2007, Rutgers University invited her to be the out-of state mentor at the New Leadership Conference. She also serves on the board of Institute for Principled Leadership and is a former trustee of Bradley University.

As State Treasurer, Robin will continue to make people in Illinois her number one priority. Her experience has provided her with a profound understanding of the challenges Illinois faces in difficult economic times, and her work in state government has given her the skills to help Illinois residents meet challenges head on.

Robin will work tirelessly to safeguard Illinois taxpayer dollars and develop programs to empower families to better manage their financial health. She will continue to make resources of the Treasurer's Office more accessible to the public. And she will continue working hard to ensure the Treasurer's Office provides educational programs that give more families the opportunity to send their children to college.