Sunday, December 04, 2005

Alexi Giannoulis For Illinois Treasurer

A new star is on the rise in Illinois public service. At 1PM , December 4, 2005 in the Boulevard North of Chicago's Hilton, Alexi Giannoulis announced his candidacy as Democrat for Illinois treasurer.

Surrounded by family and elected officials on the stage, Giannoulis announced for the Treasurer's Office by stating:

"What the people of Illinois need in the Treasurer's office is not another politician, but an experienced financial manager. The money of the State of Illinois is not the Treasurer's money, nor the Governor's, nor the legislature's money. It is the people's money."

The son of Greek and Cypriot immigrants Alexi Giannoulis continues in the family banking business begun by his father. The senior Giannoulis told me that while his son 'made a great name for himself as a student and athlete before coming into banking' he is most proud that his son is a man 'dedicated to family and personal integrity.' Alexi Giannoulis graduated magna cum laude from Boston University and earned a law degree from Tulane University.

The diversity and power of the endorsements for Alexi Giannoulis signals great expectations for this Illinois rising star . Some of the people joining Giannoulis on the stage of the Hilton follow:

Father George Clements, U.S. Senator Barack Obama, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. State Reps. John Fritchey and Harry Osterman State Senator Kwame Raoul, Chicago Aldermen Ringer Rugai, Leslie Hairston, Manny Flores, Gene Schulter, Dick Mell, McLean County Board Member Tari Renner of Bloomington, and 19th Ward Committeeman Matt O'Shea.

36 comments:

Anonymous,  2:38 PM  

I thought I read something somewhere about a Springfield announcement stop. Anyone know if that's happening, when, where?

Anonymous,  3:15 PM  

I was there. He seems very sincere. Still think Fritchey should have run. Night and day difference. I'm sure he'll improve over time though. Did have a good size crownd though.

Anonymous,  3:42 PM  

A new star? Does this mean that during the campaign we don't press him on any issues? If he's elected, do we give him a free ride...like the current "new star" from Illinois in the US Senate. Just curious.

Anonymous,  3:54 PM  

I have no idea what the kid stands for, but I'll vote for him anyway because I'm Greek.

Anonymous,  5:59 PM  

Pat,

With all due respect, get real. I was in the room on behalf of somebody else. There was no hoi polloi, it was all his friends and family - not exactly the hardest room to 'work'. And it was assinine to schedule the event opposite the Bears/Packers game. Right or wrong, that is why there were fewer press there than at any announcement I've ever gone to. And did he really need THREE different people to give intro speeches for him? Came off as overcompensating.

Now I am supporting him and he may turn out to be ok, but there is SO little basis for calling him a 'new star' at this point, it sounds like a joke, or that you're already on payroll.

If he wins, it will be because he is the fastest man in a race of one-legged men.

Anonymous,  6:58 PM  

Looks like the family knows how to toss down some serious coinage:
Giannoulias, Alexis 6007 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660
Occupation: Banker
Employer: Broadway Bank $1,000.00
9/19/2000 Individual Contribution
Citizens for George Ryan
Giannoulias, Alexis 6007 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660
Occupation: Chairman
Employer: Broadway Bank $10,000.00
6/29/2005 Individual Contribution
Friends of Blagojevich
Giannoulias, Alexis 6007 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60660
Occupation: President
Employer: Broadway Bank $5,000.00
5/13/2003 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Jesse White

According to your state board of elections. Must have been a hoot with four of Chicago's finest alderpersons there. I assume they were just filing out hoome equity loan apps and getting the free t-shirts.

Looks like Boland AND Quinn both forced the kid out of the early news so we will wait breathlessly for the morning dispatchs.
Pat don't let those pick on you so much. It is a free state you can pimp for anyone you want.

Anonymous,  8:12 PM  

I was there as invited by an elected official on the stage, he wants me to endorse this young man who seems nice. However, the father exhibits gravitas but the son does not. How much banking experience can he have if he is only 29 and graudated college, law school (is he a lawyer?conspicously absent) and played college basketball and European semi or professional. The math does not leave a lot of years for professional life. How much banking experience can he really have?

Anonymous,  8:13 PM  

disturbed by the George Ryan donation, did not support Poshard, and supported a crook, and opposing a central Illinois
hard to sell downstate

Anonymous,  8:14 PM  

Hickey good job, your writing is always refreshing and your humor is what this blog needed.

Anonymous,  8:20 PM  

This is a sure path to Republican victory in this office in the fall.

Anonymous,  8:21 PM  
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous,  8:28 PM  

Who is Committeman Matt O'Shea, forgive me for being in a time warp, but isn't Tom Hynes the 19th ward committeeman?

Anonymous,  9:28 PM  
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous,  11:37 PM  

If he went to law school did he pass the bar and is he a lawyer.

Anonymous,  11:48 PM  

Why are some people so negative on Mangeri?

Anonymous,  11:52 PM  

There were some pretty heavy hitters on that stage. All Democrats. Obama, Jackson, Flores, Fritchey. Backing the guy running AGAINST the slated candidate. Seems to me they believe that there must be something to the kid otherwise they wouldn't waist their energy and potential nastiness from Madigan and Jones. He must be doing something right.

Anonymous,  12:26 AM  

Enough Manny Flores, please.

Anonymous,  1:34 AM  

Alexi has spent more time on the basketball courts at East Bank and Lakeshore reliving past " glory " than he ever has at any bank or working any political campaign. If writing checks to a few political campaigns qualifies someone to be an elected state wide official, I better get my check book out. I wonder if Obama, Jackson Jr., etc will be looking for large monetary contributions from the Giannoulis family for future campaigns ? Future star, on what grounds ? He has no chance to get any votes downstate. This announcement has assured the Republicans of victory in the general election. Sweet enough kid, but let him manage a McDonald's before we put the state's money in his hands. If he gets 25 % of the vote I'am moving to Wisconsin.

Anonymous,  7:10 AM  

Attorney registration indicates that he was admitted to practice in Illinois, November 7, 2002.

Bill 7:18 AM  

Isn't anybody sick of rich people trying to buy their way into state office. Usually they are Republicans. They never seem to make good office holders, are too ambitious and usually are too busy looking to run for higher office to do the job that they have. I would bet that Alexi has NEVER even worked a precinct or rung one doorbell. The fact that he can draw this kind of support is very discouraging to those of us out in the neighborhoods doing the real work of politics. If he was so interested in this office why didn't he submit his credentials like Paul did?

Anonymous,  7:29 AM  

What credentials does Paul have? He is a prosecutor. How can he possibly be more qualified than someone who has had even one year's experience as a banker in the private sector. And polically he is a Republican in Democrat skin. Alexi is a much better alternative.

Anonymous,  7:38 AM  

Politically this is a way to completely alienate Dems outside of Cook County and conservative Dems. Probably create a victory for Republicans.

Anonymous,  8:25 AM  

Priest Fallon of the dead rabbits

Anonymous,  9:22 AM  

Tari Renner? Isn't that the nut who got creamed by Jerry Weller and completely embarassed himself in the process? Great help for another novice.

Anonymous,  10:06 AM  

Not much media pop--- must have forgot to get a p.r. guy

petey fitzgerald was a banker --- well his dad owned a bank too. And look what thaat got IL. Oh, that' right some people think HE hired Pat Collins.

Anonymous,  11:27 AM  

O'Shea took over for Hynes earlier this year.

I worked with Matt on a campaign last year... a real likable, regular guy.

Anonymous,  3:36 PM  

This guy is a real comic. He just told the Statehouse press corp that he will not accept gifts from lobbyists with a lobbyist for the bankers at his side.

Anonymous,  10:55 PM  

Did he get the Lincoln County question?

Pat Hickey, did you teach at Bishop Mac?

Anonymous,  10:57 PM  

Alexi is a angel. We are lucky to have someone like him in public service in our State. I know him well, and know that he could have a lot more money, power and personal freedom staying at his bank. He is young and idealistic and that is a GOOD thing.

Anonymous,  1:04 AM  

I dont want young or idealistic handling our state's money. I want someone with experience in politics or banking. My $5.75 bank teller has more banking experience than he does. If my Father owned a bank I would be a vice president as well. Playing semi-pro basketball in Greece ( A league my Grandmother could score twenty points a game ) hardly gets you ready to takle the very serious financial issues that our state is currently facing. The kiddie game is off to the side. Alexi should leave the politics to the big boys. Come back when you are 35 and have done something of substance with your life. Luckily for all of us, he has no chance of garnering any votes come election time.

Anonymous,  1:04 AM  

I dont want young or idealistic handling our state's money. I want someone with experience in politics or banking. My $5.75 bank teller has more banking experience than he does. If my Father owned a bank I would be a vice president as well. Playing semi-pro basketball in Greece ( A league my Grandmother could score twenty points a game ) hardly gets you ready to takle the very serious financial issues that our state is currently facing. The kiddie game is off to the side. Alexi should leave the politics to the big boys. Come back when you are 35 and have done something of substance with your life. Luckily for all of us, he has no chance of garnering any votes come election time.

Anonymous,  7:33 AM  

O'Shea is not Irish either and is actually a Hispanic who fought for liberation in Argentinia

Anonymous,  11:49 AM  

He has not chance, it's that simple. Manny Flores was pretty bad up there as well. Having all of these people get up there talking about his hoops prowess was silly. Maybe he should shoot for something smaller, like Obama's running mate for presidency.

Anonymous,  10:18 PM  

Hickey-

You are a douchebag! You have no credibility with anyone. Plus, your breath stinks which is why no one ever wants to talk with you at fundraisers.

Anonymous,  12:11 AM  

I have never met such a hardworking and dedicated individual in spite of his family money. And the father expects the highest standards and does not hand out positions in a bank he built from nothing. As for all the people who could not look up his status as a lawyer he has pssed the bar and is a licensed attorney. Having been raised in a bank and knowing the integral part of finance and lending gives him much more than a bank teller's knowledge. Instead of applauding someone young with energy and an incredible education who wants to help the economy and make the state on Illinois a better place, you pick on the his background with the Greek basketball league which shows he is cultured and well rounded. I will support Alexi and will volunteer my time to work for this campaign proudly!

Anonymous,  12:59 AM  

I worked for Alexis Giannoulis (this kid's father), about 20 years ago at the original Broadway Bank. I cannot comment on Alexi's character, but I CAN comment on his father's lack of it. Alexis was openly racist, specifically to African American's (known to him back then as blacks). To Alexis, money was power. He made his mark in the US as a "power investor".
Broadway Bank was his trophy. He was an investor who became very wealthy by being extremely gifted at acquiring real estate for profit. Bank ownership was initially an investment without profit. Worse yet, prior to & during the time I was employed there, he took substantial losses due to poor management of corporate lending. His propencity to trust his fellow Greek entrepreneurs cost him dearly at the onset. Now, he enjoys the success of riches from property investment, bank ownership & his son's recent political notoriety. I have no reason to doubt Alexi's qualifications as a future State Treasurer, though I do feel compelled to share my perception of his dad's place in the community. Should you choose to vote for Alexi, I believe you would be choosing a highly motivated individual (like his dad). On the other hand, granted, I have contempt for Alexis...I concede that dad's success was purely due to internal motivation. Would Alexi be a candidate for State Treasurer, today, if he were nothing more than a 29 year-old Greek immigrant like his dad was (likely at 29)?
I don't know Alexi, but something tells me that running for office is primarily another trophy for his dad.

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