Russ Crawford: Republican candidate for Tazewell County Treasurer


As far as I can tell, there is only one primary contest in relation to countywide, elected offices in Tazewell County—my county. That contest is a Republican race for County Treasurer. The incumbent Treasurer who is a Republican is retiring from this office and, if I remember correctly, is running for the Tazewell County Board. The two candidates are Russ Crawford who is currently a member of the Tazewell County Board and Mary Burress who is currently the Deputy Treasurer for Tazewell County.

I asked both candidates to provide me information in relation to their candidacy for office. Tonight, I am posting information provided to me by Russ Crawford. Tomorrow, I plan to post information provided to me by Mary Burress. Russ Crawford provided his information to me first so I am posting his first. He was also asked first. He is also scheduled to speak to the Morton 9/12 Project members at its regular monthly meeting on January 12, 2010. Mary Burress spoke to the Morton 9/12 Project members at its regular monthly meeting on December 8, 2009. Except for making minor changes to fit my format and to spell out abbreviated words, the material posted tonight is as given to me.

The campaign material from Russ Crawford, candidate for the Republican Party primary election for Tazewell County Treasurer:

“Russ Crawford
Your Republican Tazewell County Treasurer
204 District Court
East Peoria, Illinois, 61611
russ@mtco.com
Phone: (309) 694-2827

Thank you for your continued support of conservative principles and my candidacy in Tazewell County. I have been honored to serve our Grand Old Party as a Tazewell County Republican precinct committeeman (1973-2009) and as a Young Republican in college (1968-1972). With your help, the People of Tazewell County have elected me to serve as their representative on the County Board for 5 terms:

1976-1980 (District 2)
1988-1992 (District 3)
1992-1996 (District 3)
1996-1998 (District 3)
2006-2010 (District 3)

During this time, I have been an out-spoken advocate for the Tazewell County taxpayer. I also served as the Chief Fiscal Officer of Tazewell County (1980-1984), dubbed as ‘the Taxpayers’ Watchdog’. As your elected County Auditor and Budget Director, we cut the budget to fit the reduced revenue of those challenging economic times. Although this was not without pain, it was necessary and we succeeded in maintaining a balanced budget. This came about as a result of applying the values and principles of Abraham Lincoln to the straight forward common sense of Ronald Reagan, two of my personal heroes.

The current Treasurer is not seeking re-election and Republican Central Committee members have asked me to apply my conservative principles and leadership to this position. With your help, we will continue the tradition of conservative fiscal practices in Tazewell County and make some important process changes that will add to increased accountability and transparency for the citizens of Tazewell County.

I personally value your support and look forward to serving you as your Treasurer. Please contact me with any questions or suggestions.

Thanks,
Russ”

“Russ Crawford
Your Republican Tazewell County Treasurer
204 District Court
East Peoria, Illinois, 61611
russ@mtco.com
Phone: (309) 694-2827

Lifelong Republican:

Young College Republican (1968-1972)
Tazewell County Republican Precinct Committeeman (elected 1973-current)
Illinois State Republican Delegate (4 decades)
Illinois State Republican Platform Committee (10 years)
U.S. National Republican Convention—Illinois Delegation (elected 1988 & 1992)
Vice-Chairman, 18th Congressional District, IL Republican State Central Committee
Assistant for Northern Illinois to Republican Secretary of State Jim Edgar (1985-1992)

Proven electability:

Elected Republican Tazewell County Board—District 2 (1976-1980)
Elected Republican Tazewell County Officer—Auditor (1980-1984)
Elected Republican Tazewell County Board—District 3 (1988-1992)
Elected Republican Tazewell County Board—District 3 (1992-1996)
Elected Republican Tazewell County Board—District 3 (1996-1998)
Elected Republican Tazewell County Board—District 3 (2006-2010)

Fiscal leadership:

Tazewell County Wage and Salary Committee Chairman
Tazewell County Chief Fiscal Officer and Budget Director
Tazewell County Economic Development Committee Chairman
Created Tazewell County Centralized Purchasing
Created Tazewell County Expenditure Transfer Policy and Controls
Balanced Tazewell County Budget in depressed 1980’s economy by cutting $1.5 million
Vice President of the Illinois Association of County Auditors and Financial Officers

Educational experience:

Knox College Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree; Dean’s List of Distinguished Students
Illinois State University and University of Virginia Graduate School
Certified 6 Sigma Methodology (Black Belt) Process Project Manager
Instructor of Social and Political Problems and Government (East Peoria and Pekin High Schools)
Traffic Law Administration Instructor (Illinois Central College)
Illinois State Teaching Certification (current/active)
Authored and Published the ‘PPP: Problem Panel Project’ in Resources In Education Magazine

Community commitment:

Tri-County (Peoria, Woodford and Tazewell) Regional Planning Commission Treasurer and Chairman
Heartland Water Resources Council of Central Illinois Government Relations Chairman and President
Peoria Lakes Basin Alliance Chairman
Peoria Historical Society Trustee and Peoria Riverfront Museum Committee
Illinois Conservation Congress (elected Delegate to 1st 3 Congresses and served on Executive Committee)
Church Board of Deacons and Cursillo Community Assistant Rector

Tazewell County roots:

Born & raised in East Peoria; Wife (Cindy Fairchild Crawford) from Marquette Heights
Father’s family from Delavan and Mothers family from East Peoria and Mackinaw
High School Teacher in Pekin (Pekin Community High) and Caterpillar work location in Morton
Previously elected by citizens from: Armington, Creve Coeur, Deer Creek, Delavan, E. Peoria, Green Valley, Groveland, Hopedale, Mackinaw, Marquette Heights, Minier, Morton, N. Pekin, Pekin, S. Pekin, Spring Lake, Tremont and Washington

Applying the values and principles of Abraham Lincoln to the straight forward common sense of Ronald Reagan”