more from the low-key treasurer

January 16th, 2008 at 02:29pm Aaron Chambers

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias keeps a low profile, which in the climate of Illinois politics is probably a prudent approach.

He’s just beginning his second year as treasurer, his first public office. The treasurer is the state’s banker, so a treasurer’s opportunity for public exposure is relatively limited.

Moreover, Giannoulias is the newcomer Chicago Democrat on a scene dominated by Chicago Democrats with huge egos. (Specifically, I’m referring to Gov. Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones Jr. House Speaker Michael Madigan.) It doesn’t serve Giannoulias’ political interest to make a fuss, potentially alienating powers that be, right off the bat.

Nonetheless, this didn’t stop him from having some fun today with a hot, politically-charged topic: Blagojevich’s decision to amend a mass transit bailout bill by inserting language requiring mass transit districts around Illinois to grant free rides to seniors.

Blagojevich’s move took the Capitol by surprise and is overwhelming the discussion here. It’s classic Blagojevich: To deflect attention from a point he’d rather not see played up (the fact that he violated his no-tax-increase pledge by accepting the regional sales tax hike embodied in the mass transit bill), he created a diversion (loudly insisting on free rides for seniors, without first consulting with legislators or mass transit officials).

Giannoulias on Wednesday called a news conference to discuss his office’s handling of a state loan made to a Springfield hotel, and he kicked it off with a joke.

“We’re here today to announce that all senior citizens are gonna get a free hotel stay,” he said, drawing laughter from reporters.

Hey, at least the guy has a sense of humor.

Later, on a more serious note, Giannoulias described his impression of the governor’s move.

“Listen, I love my grandma. I love senior citizens,” he said.

“I don’t think it was done in the best way possible. It’s not like they’ve been talking about this for six months or a year, about senior citizens. So to throw it on someone, and a vote (inaudible) takes place, to me seems a little disingenuous. But I’m new to this whole political world so I’m learning every day.”

Entry Filed under: alexi giannoulias, Illinois politics