Nov. 2, 2009           
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
           

Jonathan Goldman Launches Campaign
for State Representative

Independent, Progressive Candidate Pledges Leadership with Integrity

Chicago -- Longtime public interest advocate Jonathan Goldman today officially announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for 10th District State Representative.

“For nearly two decades, I’ve successfully worked for change from outside the system,” said Goldman. “Now I’m going to try to make an even bigger difference working to fix things from the inside.”

This afternoon Goldman’s nominating petition will be filed with 2,637 signatures, more than five times the amount needed to be placed on the ballot.

“The people of the 10th District are fed up with the scandals of Rod Blagojevich and Todd Stroger, skyrocketing sales and property taxes, diminishing public services, the epidemic of gun violence, and the lack of quality education for our children,” Goldman stated.

“They are tired of politicians who enable these problems rather than working to solve them. They need someone who will represent them in Springfield with passion, integrity and leadership, and I intend to be that person.”

Since the early 1990s, Goldman has fought in Springfield for environmental, education, public health and consumer issues, building a strong track record as one of the most successful public interest lobbyists at the Capitol.  He most recently served for seven years as Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, before starting Advocacy Incorporated, a lobbying and consulting business primarily serving non-profit organizations. 

During his IEC tenure, Goldman was named a “40 Under 40” Rising Star by Crain’s Chicago Business.  He earned the award for his leadership rescuing two land preservation programs from the state’s budget chopping block.

Goldman will put his advocacy experience and leadership skills to good use as State Representative. He will:

• Work to put Illinois’ fiscal house in order. “We need to get serious once and for all about fixing the State budget, rather than lurching from one fiscal crisis to another. We need to restructure our tax policies based on ability to pay and address our structural deficit so that we can pay our bills on time and fully fund our pension obligations,” said Goldman.

• Fight for increased school funding. “As a Local School Council member, I’ve had to make difficult budget decisions, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact on kids when we can’t provide them with the education they deserve.”

• Promote clean technologies and the creation of green jobs.  “We are on the verge of an economic revolution built around reducing global warming pollution and cleaning up our environment. Illinois can create jobs by promoting clean technologies and reducing energy use.”

• Push for common sense gun control laws. “We must take action to stop the tragedy of gun violence in Chicago.”

Goldman also has a long history of community involvement in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area, where he has lived for nearly 20 years. He is in his fifth term as an elected Local School Council member, and he is currently the LSC Chair at Drummond Montessori Magnet School. He also has served on the board of the Bucktown Community Organization.

Goldman’s other leadership roles have included Executive Director of the Lead Elimination Action Drive and positions with the Citizens Utility Board, the CityWide Coalition for School Reform and the Center for Neighborhood Technology.

The 10th District is one of the most diverse in Illinois, including Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Noble Square, Ukrainian Village, West Loop, Humboldt Park, Near West Side and Garfield Park.

For more information, visit www.jonathanforillinois.com, or call 888-633-2010.

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