Cross-posted from Prairie State Blue
My name is Robin Kelly, and I am running to be Illinois’ next State Treasurer.
I’m writing today because, in the true spirit of this community, I want to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the challenges facing Illinois. I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas, and I look forward to sharing my ideas and plans for the Treasurer’s Office.
As some of you may know, I am currently the Chief of Staff to State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. But, before I began working in the Treasurer’s Office I was a state legislator and a community leader.
In the 1980’s, while living in Peoria, I worked with families who were affected by the massive Caterpillar strike. In the 1990’s, I sponsored legislation to increase the minimum wage, voted to require businesses receiving state economic assistance to meet their job creation promises, and led the charge to safeguard unemployment insurance for workers who were locked out by their employers. Just recently, I worked with the Treasurer to protect the Chicago-based Hartmarx suit company from liquidation. The deal, when complete, will allow the company to be purchased at a fair price and help protect 1,000 Illinois jobs.
Over the past few years I have travelled this state to meet, listen and learn from the citizens I serve. The people that I have met and the relationships I have formed are the reason my campaign will be successful. They represent the kind of grassroots campaign that I am seeking to run. In the past week alone, hundreds of new supporters have signed up to learn more about this campaign.
I hope that you will take a moment to visit my new campaign website! There you will find more information about who I am, the work that I have done, and the work that I plan to do as the next State Treasurer.
I am excited to share my thoughts and ideas with you throughout this campaign, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you.