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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Oberman, Kelly Vie for Treasurer Nomination
In the race to replace Alexi Giannoulias the only contested primary is among democrats. The Treasurer is in charge of investing the state's money, but the two candidates say it's about a lot more than that.
"One way to look at the State Treasurer is to be a traffic cop for state finances and to call a halt when we see things going on that are not sustainable," said Justin Oberman, the managing director of a corporate and strategic financial advisory services firm.
His resume also includes a stint with the U.S. Department of Transportation where he helped set up the Transportation Security Administration.
Oberman says he sees plenty to change in the Treasurer’s office.
He'd start by using the office to entice businesses to the state investing Illinois dollars in high speed rail, green jobs, and aerospace.
"What we have seen is private investors like to see government take some risk and if the government will invest say $5, $10 million the private sector might do 5,10 times that much," Oberman said.
When it comes to digging out of the state's multi-billion dollar deficit, Oberman promises to speak out and advocate reducing earmarks, pension reform, and consolidating government entities, like downstate school districts.
Oberman is already speaking out against the current Treasurer's handling of Bright Start, Illinois’ college savings program. One fund lost millions last year.
"The treasurer's office just completely failed families. We need to overhaul Bright Start. We're going to do that the first day I take over," Oberman said.
"I really can't think of what we could have done differently," said Robin Kelly, Giannoulias' chief of staff.
Kelly thinks she's ready for a promotion and insists that overall, Bright Start in better shape that she found it three years ago.
"We brought that program from forth-eight in the nation to the top five. We have over 192,000 accounts [and we’re] headed toward 193,000. In this last year in which it's gotten negative publicity, we've added 10,000 accounts," she said.
A former lawmaker, with a background in Psychology and Human Services, Kelly plans to continue programs already underway, and look for new ways to make Illinois more business friendly.
Her plans for getting through tough times in Illinois include cutting back on government spending and strategic borrowing to pay outstanding bills.
"I don't want people giving service after service after service and then they not get paid for it," she said.
State Senator Dan Rutherford is the only candidate in the Republican primary. Scott Summers is the only Green Party candidate.
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
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