Treasurer: Dan Rutherford

Political affiliation: Republican

City: No response

Marital status: No response

Occupation/Firm name: ServiceMaster Company & State Senator

Campaign HQ address: 220 West Howard Street, Pontiac, IL 61764

Campaign website: www.DanRutherford.org

What is your campaign budget- $1.5 Million

What do you consider to be the most important roles and responsibilities of this office-

The core responsibility of the Illinois State Treasurer is the most important and that is to invest the people's money of the state in the safest way possible for the highest return possible, until it is needed for disbursement. All programs after that may be good ideas, but need to be balanced against return on investment for the benefit of the taxpayers of the state.

What role should the treasurer play in solving the state's budget crisis-

Be vocal on proposals of the Legislature and the Governor that may not be good for job creation and retention in Illinois. Be vocal on policy discussions regarding debt of the state. Be a counter point for the one party control of government in Illinois.

What role can the treasurer's office play in creating jobs and attracting investors to Illinois-

The Treasurer can play a significant role in helping to create jobs in Illinois, while maintaining the core responsibility of the office which is to invest the people's money of the state in the safest way possible for the highest return possible. Using the privilege of being a State-wide Constitutional Officer and advocating public policy positions which benefit the economy and job creation by use of the bully pulpit is a significant opportunity. Being a private sector businessman I will take advantage of that opportunity.

What is your philosophy on how best to invest the state's money-

I am a business executive and have developed the skill to ask a lot of questions. I will bring in talented people with expertise. Experts would advise & counsel an investment strategy, but I would be personally questioning.

How well managed is the Bright Start college saving program- Do you have a plan to generate better returns-

The Treasurer's oversight of Bright Start has not been handled well. Using Bright Start marketing money to purchase hybrid SUV vehicles is not a good representation to investors in the program.

In addition, the Core Plus bond fund was one of 21 investment choices in Bright Start. It was a bond fund and was supposed to have been a safe investment. In one year that specific fund suffered a $150 million loss, which was approximately 38% of the total value before the loss of just under $400 million. The Treasurer and his Chief of Staff were aware of the problem in early May 2008, but did not act to halt investments into the Core Plus fund until December 2008.

I have heard rational from the Treasurer's Chief of Staff that market conditions and impropriety by the fund manager were reasons for the loss. Maybe, but why did it take 8 months for the Treasurer to act on a 38% loss in a conservative bond fund- If that type of loss trend was happening in one's personal investment portfolio they would have pulled the fire alarm before there was such a melt down.

When I am the Treasurer of the State of Illinois I will have my Chief of Staff prepare a weekly portfolio investment report for my review on Monday mornings. The Treasurer should watch these investment accounts as if they were their own.

What is your opinion of the state's linked deposit programs- Is this the best use of state investment dollars-

In general, I like the idea of the Link Deposit program, but have two specific action steps that I will take when I assume the office. I will discuss personally with the Editorial Board and post the information after that time.

Do you support combining the functions of the offices of the comptroller and treasurer-

I do support combining the offices and have supported it for a number of years. Comptroller nominee Judy Baar Topinka & I have been very committed and upfront about this support and commit to pursuing the Constitutional Amendment to make it happen.

List your educational background

Pontiac Township High School

Illinois State University- Business Administration

Please list civic, professional, fraternal or other organizations to which you belong

Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Chamber of Commerce.....

Have you held elective or appointive political office or been employed by any branch of government-

State Senator & State Representative previous to that

Please list jobs or contracts you, members of your immediate family or business partners have had with government

none

Name your five biggest campaign contributors and the amount they contributed

Jimmy Liautaud - $25,000

Barry Maclean - $25,000