SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Former House Republican Leader Tom Cross is an Oswego Republican making a bid for state treasurer, facing Democratic state Sen. Mike Frerichs of Champaign. Here’s some background on Cross and his stance on the issues:
BIOGRAPHY
Name: Tom Cross
Age: 56
Background: Attorney, former House Republican leader, state representative since 1993
Faith: United Methodist
Favorite Concert: Sara Evans
Favorite dessert: “My daughter Reynolds’ homemade chocolate-chip cookies.”
Most admired Illinois governor: Jim Edgar
ISSUES
On merging the office of the treasurer and the comptroller: “I’ve always supported a merger and sponsored a resolution during my term in the legislature. The two offices share many common goals and there would be savings if the offices were merged.”
On changes to the state’s investments: “I would create a highly skilled investment advisory group that would work to recommend a responsible investment strategy with the goals being safety and soundness of taxpayer dollars.”
On running the treasurer’s office more efficiently: Cross supports a review of positions within the treasurer’s office and says he would eliminate those he found unnecessary. He also says he’d work to lower the fees paid on state investments.
