Dan Rutherford
Encyclopedia
Dan Rutherford is the Illinois Treasurer. He served as a Republican
member of the Illinois Senate
, representing the 53rd district, from 2003 to 2011, and in the Illinois House of Representatives
from 1993 through 2002.
, Illinois
, and attended Pontiac Township High School
. Following high school, Rutherford attended Illinois State University
. While at Illinois State University, Rutherford was elected Student Body President.
in 1984, Rutherford became familiar with the ServiceMaster Company. One year later, he joined the Downers Grove
, Illinois-headquartered company as an executive. Rutherford eventually became responsible for expansion of the company's businesses internationally, licensing services in Chile
, Brazil
, Honduras
, Japan
, Hong Kong
, Malaysia, Guam
, Venezuela
, South Africa
, Spain
, and a host of other countries. ServiceMaster
is a family of service companies with trade names such as ServiceMaster clean, Terminix
, Tru-Green Chem Lawn, Merry Maids, American Home Shield, and Rescue Rooter.
's campaign. Rutherford's work in coordinating that congressional district earned recognition from the Reagan National Campaign and he was subsequently tapped to serve as the Executive Director for the 1980 Reagan-Bush
campaign.
. Rutherford eventually rose to the position of Assistant Republican Leader.
Following 10 years of service in that body, Rutherford was elected in 2003 to represent Illinois' 53rd district in the Senate. In the Senate, Rutherford serves as the ranking Republican for the Financial Institutions Committee and is a member of the Environment & Energy Committee. Senator Rutherford also serves on the bi-partisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
As a lawmaker, Senator Dan Rutherford has sponsored and directed legislation which fundamentally changes the formula for reimbursing nursing homes for care of the elderly. The new system bases rates on the medical needs of the resident, rather than just their geographic location in the state.
. Rutherford faced incumbent Democrat
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White
, of Jesse White Tumbling Team
fame, and Green Party
candidate Karen Young Peterson, in the November, 2006 election, but lost to Jesse White.
, Constitution Party nominee Dawn Czarny, Green Party
Party nominee Scott K. Summers, Libertarian
nominee James Pauly, and Independent Conservative Christopher Pedersen.
to Barbados
, after graduating college he backpacked across Europe
and in his mid twenties he took a few months to lead safaris in Kenya
. Rutherford learned to sail boats and crewed for numerous Chicago
to Mackinac Island
Races, competed in regatta
s off of Melbourne
and cruised the southern coast of Australia
. Before his 30th birthday, Dan joined a small group of adventurers and the 12 of them took three months crossing Africa
in their diesel Bedford truck; camping, bathing in creeks, open fire meals, and using sand mats to cross the Sahara
. He started in Algeria
and went south through Niger
, Chad
, Cameroon
, Central Africa Republic, Zaire
and Burundi
.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
, representing the 53rd district, from 2003 to 2011, and in the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
from 1993 through 2002.
Early life and education
Rutherford was born in PontiacPontiac, Illinois
Pontiac is a city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,931 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Livingston County...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and attended Pontiac Township High School
Pontiac Township High School
Pontiac Township High School is a public high school for grades 9-12 in Pontiac, Illinois, USA.PTHS offers over 100 courses, including nine AP classes....
. Following high school, Rutherford attended Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
. While at Illinois State University, Rutherford was elected Student Body President.
Business career
While on a business trip to JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1984, Rutherford became familiar with the ServiceMaster Company. One year later, he joined the Downers Grove
Downers Grove, Illinois
Downers Grove is a village in Downers Grove and Lisle Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 48,724 at the 2000 census, with an official estimated population of 49,250 in 2008.-History:...
, Illinois-headquartered company as an executive. Rutherford eventually became responsible for expansion of the company's businesses internationally, licensing services in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Malaysia, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and a host of other countries. ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster is a privately held Fortune 500 company that provides various services to residences and firms. Its headquarters are located in Memphis, Tennessee after moving there from Downers Grove, Illinois in early 2007. Brands operated by ServiceMaster include: TruGreen, Terminix, American...
is a family of service companies with trade names such as ServiceMaster clean, Terminix
Terminix
Terminix International Company, L.P. is the largest pest control company in the world, operating in 45 states in the United States and 14 countries around the world. It is a unit of ServiceMaster.-History:...
, Tru-Green Chem Lawn, Merry Maids, American Home Shield, and Rescue Rooter.
1980 Reagan campaign
Dan Rutherford's public service career began following his graduation from Illinois State University as a legislative assistant in Springfield. In the GOP Primary of 1980, Rutherford (then 24) coordinated a Congressional District for Governor Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's campaign. Rutherford's work in coordinating that congressional district earned recognition from the Reagan National Campaign and he was subsequently tapped to serve as the Executive Director for the 1980 Reagan-Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
campaign.
Illinois General Assembly
In 1993, Rutherford was elected to the Illinois House of RepresentativesIllinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
. Rutherford eventually rose to the position of Assistant Republican Leader.
Following 10 years of service in that body, Rutherford was elected in 2003 to represent Illinois' 53rd district in the Senate. In the Senate, Rutherford serves as the ranking Republican for the Financial Institutions Committee and is a member of the Environment & Energy Committee. Senator Rutherford also serves on the bi-partisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
As a lawmaker, Senator Dan Rutherford has sponsored and directed legislation which fundamentally changes the formula for reimbursing nursing homes for care of the elderly. The new system bases rates on the medical needs of the resident, rather than just their geographic location in the state.
2006 Illinois Secretary of State campaign
On September 12, 2005, Rutherford officially announced his campaign for the office of Illinois Secretary of StateSecretary of State of Illinois
The Secretary of State of Illinois is one of the six elected executive state offices of the government of Illinois, and one of the 47 secretaries of states in the United States. The Illinois Secretary of State keeps the state records, laws, and archives, and is the state's vehicle registration and...
. Rutherford faced incumbent Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White
Jesse White
Jesse White may refer to:*Jesse White , film and television actor*Jesse White , Illinois politician*Jesse J. White, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives*Jesco White, the West Virginia "Dancing Outlaw"...
, of Jesse White Tumbling Team
Jesse White Tumbling Team
The Jesse White Tumbling Team is a team of acrobats that was founded in 1959 by Illinois athlete and politician Jesse White. Their acrobatic performances can frequently be seen during half-time shows for the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and Major League Baseball...
fame, and Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
candidate Karen Young Peterson, in the November, 2006 election, but lost to Jesse White.
2010 Illinois Treasurer campaign
Rutherford won the open seat of Illinois Treasurer. Also running were Democratic nominee Robin KellyRobin Kelly
Robin Kelly has served as chief of staff for the Illinois Treasurer's Office since 2007. She was the 2010 Democratic nominee for Illinois Treasurer.-Early life, education and career:...
, Constitution Party nominee Dawn Czarny, Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
Party nominee Scott K. Summers, Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
nominee James Pauly, and Independent Conservative Christopher Pedersen.
Electoral history
- 2010 election for Treasurer of Illinois
- Dan Rutherford (R), 49.9%
- Robin KellyRobin KellyRobin Kelly has served as chief of staff for the Illinois Treasurer's Office since 2007. She was the 2010 Democratic nominee for Illinois Treasurer.-Early life, education and career:...
(D), 45.1% - Scott Summers (G), 3.2%
- James Pauly (L), 1.9%
- 2006 election for Secretary of State of Illinois
- Jesse WhiteJesse White (politician)Jesse Clark White is a Democratic American politician. He is currently the 37th and second-longest serving Secretary of State of Illinois, after James A. Rose, and the first African American to hold this position....
(D) (inc.), 62% - Dan Rutherford (R), 34%
- Jesse White
Personal life
As a young man, Dan enjoyed camping, fishing and adventure. In high school he was a foreign exchange studentStudent exchange program
A student exchange program generally could be defined as a program where students from secondary school or university choose to study abroad in partner institutions...
to Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
, after graduating college he backpacked across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and in his mid twenties he took a few months to lead safaris in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Rutherford learned to sail boats and crewed for numerous Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is an island and resort area covering in land area, part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was home to a Native American settlement before European...
Races, competed in regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
s off of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and cruised the southern coast of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Before his 30th birthday, Dan joined a small group of adventurers and the 12 of them took three months crossing Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
in their diesel Bedford truck; camping, bathing in creeks, open fire meals, and using sand mats to cross the Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
. He started in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and went south through Niger
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
, Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, Central Africa Republic, Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
and Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
.
External links
- Official website
- State Senator Dan Rutherford official constituency site
- Dan Rutherford for Treasurer official campaign site
- Profile at Illinois State Senate Republicans