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City: Matteson

Marital status: Married

Occupation/Firm name: Chief of Staff, IL State Treasurer's Office

Campaign HQ address: 11 S. LaSalle Ave. Chicago

Campaign website: www.robinfortreasurer.com

What is your campaign budget- No response

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

The Treasurer's most important role is to ensure the safe and secure investment of public monies. This means wisely managing both the liquidity and growth of the state portfolio. In addition the Treasurer has an important role as a financial advisor to the state, providing financial information to the public, constitutional officers and the General Assembly. Finally, in addition to safely investing funds to generate interest for taxpayers, the Treasurer has a responsibility to invest public funds in a manner that will help to create economic development across the state.

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

While the Treasurer does not have a vote on budget issues, he or she does have a voice on issues impacting taxpayers and how the state manages its money. The Treasurer must provide advice and supply reliable and useable information about the possible benefits and consequences of proposed actions, especially in regards to the state's portfolio. As State Treasurer, I will serve as an advocate for an honest debate on the state of the budget, including expenses, revenues and projections.

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

First, we need to pass legislation drafted by our administration to increase the state's investment in technology start-ups so that Illinois can become the Silicon Prairie of the Midwest. Second, we need to establish a loan guarantee program similar to the one run by the Small Business Administration that provides affordable loans to small businesses that promise to create jobs within one year of receiving the loan. Finally, we need to create public-private partnerships that promote small business development. One such public-private partnership could help grocery stores locate in so-called "food deserts," spurring construction and retail jobs, while providing healthy food options to urban, suburban and rural areas that otherwise have none.

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

There are three primary responsibilities that need to guide the investment of the state portfolio: ensure the safety of the principal, manage the liquidity of the portfolio to meet the state's daily cash flow demands, and provide the highest investment return possible using the investment instruments provided for by statutory authority. Given the current economic downturn and unpredictable market, we cannot afford to take risks when it comes to investing the state's money.

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

Under the current administration, Bright Start has gone from one of the worst-rated 529 programs in the nation under the previous Treasurer to one of the best, according to recent rankings by Kiplinger, Money Magazine and Consumer Reports. This comes as a result of flexible investment options, including index funds, and rock-bottom fees, which are among the lowest in the country. Although one of Bright Starts 21 underlying funds did incur significant losses during the market collapse of 2008, the Treasurer's Office was the first state in the nation to identify problems with the Core Plus fund and take action to recoup money for investors in a landmark settlement that puts the losses more in line with the market. Since that time, the investment team overseeing the Core Plus fund has been removed and the Treasurer's Office has implemented additional safeguards. I plan to continue to work with our advisors to identify and provide the most comprehensive selection of investment options so that Bright Start and Bright Direction investors can make the choices that best fit their individual needs for college savings. In addition, one of my priorities as Chief of Staff has been, and as Treasurer will continue to be, to make Bright Start more available and more attractive to low-to moderate income families.

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

I believe that the state's linked deposit programs are an important part of a comprehensive investment management plan that takes returns, liquidity, statutory authority, market conditions and a variety of other concerns into account. First, as a standalone investment, it is important to note that linked deposits are fully collateralized (at anywhere between 102%-110% depending on the type of security pledged) and that depending on the rate environment they can provide as good, if not better, returns than other available investments. In addition, they allow us to leverage the state's money to encourage private investment, job creation and economic development within the state. As with all programs, we continually evaluate the risks and benefits provided to the portfolio, and make adjustments accordingly.

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

Illinois taxpayers cannot afford duplicative services and wasteful spending. I favor combining both offices and I am working with Comptroller Dan Hynes to conduct a consolidation study. In this time of economic crisis and budget deficits, leaders must pursue every avenue to save money without adversely affecting taxpayer services or compromising the safety of the state's investment portfolio. Merging the state's money managers into one office would mean our investors know what money is coming in and when it needs to go back out. This knowledge allows the investors to replace overnight investments with longer-term, higher yield investments. We would save money by eliminating a number of duplicative jobs.

Of course, if the two offices are combined it is important that it is done in a responsible way that will not jeopardize the security of state funds. If a merger should occur we need to protect the checks and balances that were created by the Illinois Constitution in the current designation of two separate Constitutional Officers. Especially during difficult financial times, it is important that those checks and balances keep the investment function that the Treasurer's Office currently provides, separated from the accounting and disbursement function of the Comptroller's Office.

List your educational background

I hold a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in counseling at Bradley University in Peoria.

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

Board of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service

Flemming Institute/Institute for Progressive Leadership

Bradley University Board of Trustees (2002 to 2008)

National Coalition Building Institute Diversity Trainer

Rich Township Food Pantry Board of Directors

Illinois Theatre Center Board of Directors

National Healthcare Disparities Task Force--Place Matters

Center for American Women and Politics New Leadership Faculty in Residence

Diversity Dinners (founding member)

National Association of State Treasurers

AIPAC outreach leader

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

I was employed as the Director of Community Affairs for the Village of Matteson for more than 10 years. I was elected as the Illinois State Representative for the 38th district in 2002, 2004 and 2006. I have been serving as Chief of Staff to the Illinois State Treasurer since he took office in January 2007.

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

I worked for the Village of Matteson for 13 years. I also was elected and served as the State Representative for the 38th District from 2003-2007. I was employed at Prairie State College as a professor for one year.

My son, while in his teens, worked at Park Forest Park and Recreation as a camp counselor. My daughter started working for Rich Township when she was 13. She worked with the Teen Employment Services program. She remained with this program through high school, and continued her service while on college break. My daughter is currently employed by the Township.

Name your five biggest campaign contributors and the amount they contributed

In the year since I started my campaign fund, my grassroots campaign has raised more than a half million dollars from 1,862 contributors while abiding by strict ethical guidelines. I am the only candidate in this race who has taken an ethics pledge to refuse campaign contributions from office employees, contractors and banks, to eliminate the possibility--and even the perception--of pay-to-play in the Treasurer's Office. My top five donors are:

Jeffrey A. Wolfson, $25,000

Illinois Laborers' Legislative Committee, $20,000

Chicago Teachers Union Pac, $15,000

AFSCME Illinois Council No. 31, $15,000

Emily's List-NF Fund, $10,000

Please paste a brief biography here

As a working, suburban mother of two grown children who has juggled her family, career and education, I have always believed that with hard work and sacrifice, you can make a difference. This fundamental principle has guided me throughout my life and serves as the basis for why I want to become Illinois' next State Treasurer.

The people of Illinois need and deserve a Treasurer who will stand up for them and effectively lead our state forward. I will bring greater accountability and innovation to the Treasurer's Office to protect taxpayers, get people back to work and inspire more people to be savers and investors instead of borrowers and spenders--all under the strictest ethical guidelines. I am the only candidate in this race who refuses campaign contributions from banks, bank executives, office contractors and Treasurer's Office employees.

I am a committed public servant with a proven track record of success. I joined the Treasurer's Office as chief of staff in January 2007 after serving four years as a state representative and more than 10 years in municipal government.

As chief of staff for the past three years, I've helped to create and retain jobs, curb ethical abuses of previous administrations and prevent future abuses, cut waste and safely invest taxpayers' money. As a former State Representative of the 38th District, I bring extensive legislative experience to the Treasurer's Office. I sponsored or supported bills to protect consumers from fraud, boost economic development and increase the minimum wage. I also led the fight for landmark legislation to protect victims of domestic violence and improve public safety.

Major newspapers across the state endorsed me in the primary including the Chicago Sun-Times which said I was the only candidate with "the right experience, temperament and background for the job." I went on to win 94 out of 102 counties.

Originally from New York, I moved to Illinois to attend Bradley University in Peoria where I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees. I also hold a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University. I currently live in south suburban Matteson with my family.

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