MARIA PAPPAS COOK COUNTY TREASURER

Candidate Name: Maria Pappas

Office: Cook County Treasurer

Party: Democrat

Campaign Email Address: mpappas1@comcast.net

Campaign Web Site: N/A

Campaign Name: Pappas for Treasurer

Campaign Office Mailing Address: N/A

Campaign Phone: 312.543.7011

1. Please tell us about yourself - your background and why you believe you are qualified to hold this office.: I am a lawyer and a psychologist who was a Cook County commissioner before becoming Treasurer in 1998. I understand government and policy, and have made the Office of the Treasurer the most efficient in County government and a model of its kind nationally.

2. As opposed to why you believe you are qualified for this office - why do you want to be elected or re-elected to this office?: I believe that if you have the ability and the desire, service to the people is a high calling. I want to be re-elected to continue the accomplishments the office has recorded during my administration.

3. What specifically do you think differentiates you and your candidacy from others in this race?: As a county commissioner, I was expert in budgetary matters. As Treasurer, administration has been a strong suit. These both are crucial for a Treasurer to be successful.

4. Please tell us your general views about the role of government and some of the most important things you would like to accomplish in office?: Government should strive always to deliver more service at lesser cost. Efficiency and frugality do not necessarily conflict; they work together well, in fact. When I became Treasurer, the office had 258 employees. Today it has 121, and it does far more than it did before  with a 50 percent-plus cut in personnel.

5. 5. It's currently projected that Cook County will likely face a budget shortfall in 2011. What approach would you support to raise revenue and cut expenses?: Cutting costs and cutting taxes also work together. My office is the example. Currently, I am funding my office at $5.2 million in the corporate fund. This is down $4.8 million since I took office. This means $7.8 million is self-funded.

6. Critics say per capita spending has ballooned in Cook County with limited accountability and transparency as to how the money is spent. Do you agree with this assessment and if so what do you think should be done about it?: I agree. All records involving public spending should be put on the county website. Better notice about meetings should be posted. Videos and transcrips of all meetings  including committees  should be posted, as well.

7. Please state your thoughts on what should be done to attract businesses and jobs to Cook County as well as to retain businesses and jobs that are already here.: Business will come if we cut taxes, such as the remaining portion of the sales tax increase, and make government lean and efficient.

Candidate Endorsements (Limit of 10): Cook County Democratic Party. Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organizations.