State Treasurer: Giannoulias Takes a Double Digit Lead in Illinois

Chicago, IL.- A new poll conducted by Copley News Service shows Democrat Alexi Giannoulias maintaining a double-digit lead over his Republican opponent in the race for State Treasurer. According to the poll, which appeared Sunday in the Springfield Journal-Register newspaper, 38 percent voters supported Giannouliasʼ candidacy, compared to just 26 percent for his opponent.

The poll surveyed 625 registered voters and was conducted September 19-21. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.

This recent poll numbers mirror the results of a Chicago Sun-Times/NBC5 poll that showed Giannoulias ahead 36 to 23 percent.

“Iʼm encouraged that the Copley poll reflects same trends that other polls have showed,” Giannoulias said. “Nevertheless, we still have a long way to go and there are many undecided voters who will have a significant impact on this race. We need to keep working to ensure that we get our message across to them before Election Day”.

Alexiʼs financial expertise resonated strongly with voters in the March primary as he received 63 percent of the total vote and enjoyed strong support throughout the state.

In endorsing Alexiʼs primary bid as an independent Democrat, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “Giannoulias could usher in a new era for state government, in that the person who winds up in charge actually has expertise in the field.” The Daily Herald endorsed Alexi on his “strength of banking and investment expertise suited to the office.”

As vice-president and senior loan officer at Broadway Bank, Alexi played a vital role on the bankʼs management team that doubled its asset size to more than $750 million. Crainʼs Chicago Business has rated Broadway the #1 Bank in Illinois for the past five years based on return on assets. In addition, the bankʼs loan losses have consistently ranked well below industry averages.

Located in Chicagoʼs Edgewater neighborhood on the cityʼs North Side, Broadway Bank was founded in 1978 by Alexiʼs father, who emigrated from Greece in 1962. Since then, Broadway has grown into a small business and real estate lender on a national level. Still, the bank remains deeply rooted in the community and focused on the needs of local residents, many of whom are family home buyers and local business owners.

Alexi grew up in Chicago and enrolled at the University of Chicago. He transferred to Boston University the following year to play basketball at the NCAA Division I level. Alexi was named to the America East Conference Academic Honor Roll each of the two years he played and graduated cum laude with a bachelorʼs degree in economics.

Alexi played professional basketball in Greece for a year before returning home and enrolling at Tulane Universityʼs School of Law in New Orleans. After earning a law degree and passing the Illinois Bar exam, Alexi passed up other job opportunities to begin a career in banking at Broadway Bank.

At the bank, Alexi has served as a financial manager, overseeing loan and fixed investment portfolios totaling millions of dollars, negotiating contracts with brokers and vendors, and supervising employees. Alexiʼs experience in asset liability management – handling the bankʼs deposits, purchasing bonds on behalf of the bank and managing its fixed assets – has provided him with the financial skills necessary for an active role in running the Treasurerʼs office.

Alexi serves on the board of directors of the Community Bankerʼs Association of Illinois Legislative Committee, the South Side/Wabash YMCA, and the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.

He 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. The foundation has benefited many charities, including those assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina.