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Cook County Republican Files For Illinois Treasurer Seat

Brian Mackey
/
NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

A Cook County Republican is running for state treasurer. Jim Dodge ran unsuccessfully for Comptroller in 2010. 

“Do you want to be led down the path of financial ruin by Mike Madigan and other democrats in the legislature?” asked Jim Dodge in his campaign video on YouTube, taking a page from Governor Bruce Rauner’s anti-Madigan playbook.

In the very early stages of his campaign, that’s all Dodge could really offer. What changes would he bring to the treasurer’s office? Dodge says, “to help make the case to the people of Illinois that we need a change if we’re going to have a good future. And we’re going to stay on that theme and let the facts do the talking.”

But Dodge did not elaborate on which "facts" he was referring to.  As for his opponent, Dodge says Democrat Mike Frerichs is a part of the “Madigan Machine.”

Frerichs’s campaign responded by listing accomplishments that include a law he pushed to require life insurance firms do more to track down beneficiaries. 

Within his own party, though, Dodge says he’s on board Bruce Rauner.    

“Of the choices, I would rather prefer Governor Rauner versus anybody that’s on the democrat side and I think he’s doing all he can in near impossible circumstances to put Illinois on the right track.”

As for garnering support for his campaign, Dodge says it’s a work in progress, but that he’ll be working closely with the Republican nominee for Governor. Jeanne Ives has filed as a Republican opponent to Rauner. 

Dodge currently serves as an Orland Park village trustee. 

Jaclyn has an MA in Journalism from DePaul University and a BS in History form Monmouth College. Prior to reporting, Jaclyn was a social science teacher and department chair at Greenfield High School. Previously, Jaclyn reported for WICS Newschannel 20 where she covered a variety of assignments including courts, politics, and breaking news. She also reported at Siouxland News in Sioux City Iowa, the shared CBS/Fox television newsroom. Her internships included WGN and Comcast SportsNet in Chicago.
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