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Alexi Giannoulias
From OpenCongress Wiki
Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat, has been the Treasurer of the State of Illinois since 2007.
Contents |
Possible Senate Challenge
On March 2, 2009, Giannoulias stated on CNBC that he was forming an exploratory committee in order to assess a potential candidacy for the US Senate in 2010. Giannoulias proceeded to raise over $1.1 Million in the first quarter.
Record as Treasurer
Ethics
As his first official act as Treasurer, Giannoulias signed his own executive order to enact the most comprehensive, widest-ranging ethics package of any elected official in the state. The order prohibits him from accepting contributions from banks, Treasurer’s Office employees and contractors who do business with the office. He also moved to foreclose on two debt-ridden hotels built in the 1980s by politically connected insiders in Springfield and Collinsville. [1]
Environment
In the summer of 2008, Giannoulias launched the "Green Rewards" program, the nation's largest state-funded rebate for hybrid vehicles which gives $1,000 cash back to Illinois residents who purchase a new hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle.[2]
2008 Floods
Through its linked deposit authority, the Treasurer's office initiated $700,000 in low-interest disaster relief loans to individuals and businesses affected by floods across the state in 2008. In an effort to thaw the credit freeze and boost investment returns to the state. [3]
Economic Crisis
Treasurer Giannoulias made up to $1 billion in interest-earning deposits available to Illinois banks and credit unions.[4] In January 2009, the state of Illinois purchased $10 million worth of Israel Bonds. Giannoulias stated that the bonds where "a good way to safely diversity our portfolio, especially during a time when some of our other investment options aren't generating as much revenue because of the market fluctuations here in the United States." Giannoulias stated that the Israel Bonds will mature in three years with a 2.43 percent rate of return, compared to U.S. government bonds which yield a 1.51 percent return for the same period.[5]
Giannoulias started a pilot program in 2007 to sell the abandoned contents of safe deposit boxes on eBay, scrapping the state's annual live auctions.The weekly online auctions have driven up sale prices and attracted a worldwide audience. [6]
Biography
Giannoulias was born in Chicago to a family of Greek Immigrants. He graduated cum laude from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in economics after transferring from the University of Chicago. At BU he played Division I basketball and was named to the America East Conference Academic Honor Roll both years that he played.
After his undergraduate degree, Giannoulias spent a year plyaing professional basketball in Panionios B.C. Greece for a year after which he enrolled at Tulane University’s School of Law in New Orleans. After earning his law degree and passing the Illinois Bar exam, Giannoulias took a position as Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Broadway Bank, a community bank owned by his family.
Giannoulias served on the board of directors of the Community Banker’s Association of Illinois Legislative Committee, the South Side/Wabash YMCA, and the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce. Giannoulias also founded and chairs the AG Foundation, a not-for-profit charity that donates money to treat child-related illnesses, curb poverty and assist disaster relief organizations.
Contact
Latest posts: <rss>http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/Alexi4Illinois.rss|title=none| max=3| short</rss>
YouTube
Articles and Resources
Alexi for Illinois, Exploratory Committee's Official Website
Wikipedia also has an article on Alexi Giannoulias. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.
