Who I am:

• Born September 10, 1987; life-long resident of Rock Island County, Illinois.

• Married Ellie (Martinez) on August 16, 2024; Ellie works logistics for the US Army at the Arsenal (AFGE Union Local #15).

• Middle-class family: mother Dawn (Summers), Moline; three younger sisters Courtney (brother-in-law Joey), Haley, and Carlee; father Wade (deceased).

• Educated by Rock Island-Milan Public Schools.

• Augustana College, BA Degree, 2010.

• Lewis University, MA Degree, 2016.

• Avid mountain biker; local charity 5k & half-marathon participant. 

• Dues-paying member of the NAACP, Farm Bureau, and Moose Club.

• Pro-Union, Pro-Constitution & Rule of Law.

My experience:

• Rock Island County Treasurer (2022-present).

• Chief Deputy to Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney (2017-2022).

• South Rock Island Township Clerk (2013-2025).

• Rock Island County Board Vice Chair (2014-2017).

• Rock Island County Board member representing District 15 (2010-2017).

• Democratic precinct committeeperson (2008- present).

• Volunteer boards: Arrowhead Ranch (2011-2017), QC Area Labor Management Council (2011-2017), Project NOW (2012-2013), St Pius Parish Council (2009-2012).

• Grant coordinator at Washington Jr High School, Rock Island, in charge of over $100,000 annually for Lights On For Learning academic enrichments and support for at-risk students (2012-2017).

What I offer:

• I have long-standing working relationships with key County stakeholders & local leaders.

• I know the property tax levy process from adoption, to extension, to billing, and delinquency.

• I know the County’s software systems, policies, and the budget process & management.

• I know the framework of the Illinois Counties Code.

• I know the levels of government and their leaders from Townships to the National government.

• I have good demeanor, public speaking skills, and strong writing & reading abilities.

• I believe public servants should serve the people, not themselves.

• I believe in good government that is effective and responsive to the people it serves.

Accomplishments:

The Treasurer is responsible for keeping public funds safe, ensuring adequate fund balances for County operations, and making returns on investments. In the performance of those duties, I am proud of:

• • Finding fraud and referring cases to law enforcement, because if you steal or attempt to steal from our County you will be caught and you will be held accountable.

  • Adding more safety & security protections to our office, from biometric locks to positive-payee checking accounts. The safety of the public, our employees, and our assets (cash, records, equipment) is my top priority. Under an IMPACT PROJECT agreement with local union labor, the office space was remodeled to improve physical security and to provide accessible space for our disabled brothers and sisters.

  • Earning over $10 million in investments with a diversified & moderate strategy in less than three fiscal years, growing the overall investment portfolio to over $116 million. Every dollar made in investments is a dollar that doesn’t have to be raised in taxes or cut from a budget or program.

From making tax installments easier to pay to initiating more anti-fraud measurers, and from streamlining tax reports for local governments to keeping the books balanced, I am modernizing the Treasurer's Office and making it more secure. My goal is to make government better for the people it serves.