Democrat candidate for Illinois State Treasurer Justin Oberman admitted he has an unusual resume for the extremely important, statewide executive position.
His political career originally rooted in the management of transport, Oberman has worked for former transportation secretary Norman Mineta, as one for the few progressive Democrats in the George W. Bush administration, in homeland security post-9/11 and in the private sector, advising on security and financing.
Oberman was able to speak with the Windy City Times recently about his non-traditional experience and current campaign.
Windy City Times: Okay, let's start with some of your recent political work. You were one of the few Democrats working in the Bush administration. Could you go into that experience?
Justin Oberman: Sure, I started working in the Bush administration in 2001 for the Secretary [ Norman ] Mineta, the secretary of transportation for that administration, who was the only Democrat in Bush's cabinet. I first started working on light-rail travel, but a few months after I joined the administration 9/11 happened, so after finish my work with Amtrak, sometime in October, we started the Transportation Security Agency, or TSA.
The TSA started out as three guys in a room, but we soon expanded to 60,000 people, which employs all the airport screeners in the country. In 2003 I moved to the Department of Homeland Security, working in a division that looked for potential threats to transportation. That organization soon grew to have a budget of $150 million and, at that time, I was managing around 12 separate programs. I ended up working for that department for about two and a half years, and for the federal government for four and a half.
WCT: Why the state treasury office, instead of transportation?
Justin Oberman: A couple things. First, I'm eager to get into public service, back into state government, and I think we have big problems in our state. Not only is our economy in bad shape, but our government has a terrible reputation for corruption. I think I have a lot to offer and can provide some fresh blood to our state government. I think as an elected official you can have a lot of input, because you're a policy maker, you're the principal and you can really use that to have a lot of input.
WCT: That is true, but I'm still wondering why treasury instead of transportation?
Justin Oberman: Well, it goes back to being an elected official lets you have more input in policy-making. … I mean I wish there was, but there is no elected official for transportation in Illinois. The state treasurer can support important public works projects, like high speed rail, and I believe I can help there.
WCT: Alright, you served in the Bush administration, which, in a sense, gives you more national experience than many candidates for state office. But, in spite of any success you had during that time there exists this black cloud that hangs over that administration. What do you tell people who just say, "Well, even if you were successful in that administration, we just want to move on?"
Justin Oberman: I would say that you need to look at each candidate on an individual basis and judge them on their merits and plans for the job they are seeking. Obviously, my role during that period had nothing to do with anything related to Iraq; wiretapping, torture and so forth, all of which were a total disaster. I went into that administration to work for a Democrat that I had known before, with transportation. And after 9/11 happened, I was there to help. I think most people after 9/11 were interested in helping in whatever way they could.
WCT: Okay, Illinois is in a hole right now, like a lot of states. What can you do as state treasurer to get us out of this hole?
Justin Oberman: There are two main things the state treasurer can do to lift us out of this hole. The first is to attract investors, who can create jobs in the state. Because we have such a big deficit compared to our state's budget I don't think the government is in a position to create a lot of jobs. So we need to make Illinois an attractive state for investors. The second thing is a state treasurer must restore some ethics to our government, lead by example and restore integrity to our elected officials. It's so important for people to have confidence in their government, and the state treasurer can help instill confidence by creating a sound budget plan and a solution to this current crises.
WCT: Finally, how would you as a state treasurer contribute to the fair and equal treatment of the LGBT community within Illinois?
Justin Oberman: In two ways: One, I will speak out on issues that are important to the gay community; for example I am a strong supporter of gay marriage and partner benefits. Second, again the state treasurer has an immense amount of leverage he can put onto the state's banks, and if we see people supporting policies that are counter to the LGBT community we can pull money from their banks. I don't know if that is a common practice, but it's certainly something we will put on our list of criteria. I strongly believe in equality for everyone in our state, and, once elected, I will work hard to promote equality.
See www.obermanforillinois.com .
