About the Candidate
Name: Alexi Giannoulias
DOB: March 16, 1976
Occupation: Founder and CEO, Annoula Ventures
Political Experience: Illinois State Treasurer (2007-2011); Chairman of the Illinois Community College System (2011-2015); Chicago Public Library Board of Directors (2018-2021)
Website: www.alexiforus.com
Twitter: @Giannoulias
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiGiannoulias/
Instagram: @alexiforus
Candidate Statement
I’m Alexi Giannoulias. I’m running as the Democratic nominee for Illinois Secretary of State.
After nearly 25 years, Jesse White is stepping down.
I’m proud to have earned Secretary White’s endorsement in this race, and I will continue his legacy of good government, commitment to public service and dedication to improving road safety.
As right-wing Secretaries of State seek to implement voter suppression laws designed to disenfranchise voters in other states, I'll protect voter rights and expand registration opportunities to ensure Illinois’ voters are heard.
I’ll also modernize the office to repeal the “time tax” — or the amount of time wasted waiting in lines or on the phone for simple government services.
My Skip the Line program will allow you to schedule in-office appointments and head to the front of the line when you walk into a driver’s license facility.
In addition, I’ll push for digital driver’s licenses so you can access your ID on your phone with just the touch of a button.
And as the State’s librarian, my License to Read program will allow you to access more books and learning materials from public libraries — regardless of where you live.
Finally, the Secretary of State is also the keeper of financial disclosure forms that public officials and lobbyists are required to file.
In the wake of scandals involving indicted former House Speaker Mike Madigan and other politicians, I’ll advance measures to curb corruption, increase transparency and make a real difference in restoring trust and confidence in government.
As a former Illinois State Treasurer who successfully ran against the political machine with the support of my friend Barack Obama, I eliminated pay-to-play in the office on my first day on the job.
I’m also pro-choice and I have the endorsements of Planned Parenthood and Personal PAC and I’m committed to implementing green initiatives and expanding electronic vehicle infrastructure to reduce emissions and protect our planet.
I have the experience, the know-how and the dedication to build a better future for all of us, and I hope to earn your vote on November 8.
Thank you.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
Public confidence and trust in our public institutions, government and elected officials is at an all-time low. By modernizing the office to increase access to services and providing more opportunities for more Illinoisans, protecting voter rights and increasing opportunities to register to vote, and strengthening state ethics laws and requiring more disclosure among public officials and lobbyists - we can help restore that faith and confidence.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
Secretary of State Jesse White has done a great job of making our roads safer and cleaning up an office that had been mired in corruption. However, the pandemic has demonstrated that government needs to make changes to better serve the public and deliver services faster and more efficiently.
The Secretary of State’s offices act as retail operations, providing service to customers – just like stores and restaurants and need to improve the customer experience. I want to repeal the Time Tax, or the amount of time people spend waiting in line, filling out forms or on the phone, to obtain service. As Secretary of State, I will:
— Introduce our “Skip the Line” program will allow drivers to schedule an appointment and enable them to move to the front of the line for service when they arrive.
— Allow for digital driver’s licenses and state identification cards on people’s phones.
— Introduce an app so people can upload documents in advance and receive notifications about renewals and appointments to avoid fees.
— Guarantee neighborhood access by making more programs and support available at pop up offices and local libraries.
— Offer more assistance – especially for seniors and those who don’t speak English and others who need additional help to make sure they get the help that they need.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
In addition to modernizing the office, protecting voting rights and establishing new ethical guidelines are my top priorities. With Secretaries of State across the nation seeking to disenfranchise voters with restrictive voter suppression laws that make it more difficult to register and cast ballots, I am committed to protecting voter rights here in Illinois. As a custodian of the State’s Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system, I will make sure that access to registering to vote and individual rights at the ballot box are safeguarded and that AVR is implemented fairly, accurately and securely to expand voting opportunities and encourage turnout. I will also implement pre-registration for teens so that 16- and 17-year-olds are able to register in advance of their 18th birthdays so they will be automatically eligible to vote upon turning 18.
Illinoisans are sick and tired of the corruption and self-dealing that has permeated state politics. The Secretary of State is the keeper of lobbyist registrations and statements of economic interest that public officials are required to file. Toughening ethics laws, increasing transparency and cracking down on unethical behavior among politicians and lobbyists will go a long way toward curbing corruption in Illinois. I will strengthen our ethics laws by banning elected officials from serving as lobbyists, extending the revolving-door ban on elected officials from lobbying after they leave office, expanding the authority of the inspector general and increasing disclosure of lobbyist activities at the state level. I’m the only candidate in the race who has put forth a comprehensive plan, which has been praised by good-government advocates.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
I've always prided myself on being responsive and accessible, not only to constituents but to Illinoisans across the State. As the former State Treasurer and Democratic Nominee for SOS, my staff and I understand the importance of service. It is that foundation that has inspired me to run for public office and will always be a founding principal in everything that my staff and I do.
