1. Alexander Giannoulias is an American financier and politician who is the Secretary of State of Illinois.
31 Facts About Alexi Giannoulias
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Alexi Giannoulias previously served as the 72nd Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011.
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Alexi Giannoulias became the first Democrat to hold the office of Illinois Treasurer in 12 years.
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Alexi Giannoulias was a candidate for US Senate in the 2010 elections.
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Alexi Giannoulias won the Democratic primary, but narrowly lost the general election in November 2010 to Republican Mark Kirk.
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Alexi Giannoulias was elected secretary of state in the 2022 election, defeating Dan Brady to succeed longtime incumbent Jesse White.
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Alexi Giannoulias attended The Latin School of Chicago and then the University of Chicago before transferring to Boston University.
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Alexi Giannoulias then moved to Greece to play basketball with Panionios BC for a year.
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Alexi Giannoulias had played basketball at The Latin School of Chicago, and played Division III basketball at the University of Chicago.
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Alexi Giannoulias then played Division I basketball at Boston University.
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Alexi Giannoulias founded and chaired the AG Foundation, a not-for-profit charity that donated money to treat child-related illnesses, curb poverty and assist disaster relief organizations.
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On his first day as State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias "signed an executive order to enact the most comprehensive, widest-ranging ethics package of any elected official in the state", according to his official state website.
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In 2009, Alexi Giannoulias worked to encourage Wells Fargo to cooperate in the sale of Chicago-based clothing manufacturer Hartmarx Corp.
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The success of this sale with Alexi Giannoulias' support saved over 600 jobs at an Illinois Hartmarx factory that otherwise would have been closed.
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Alexi Giannoulias cited the fact that Wells Fargo received over $25 billion in federal TARP bailout funds as further reason why the bank should have supported the sale of Hartmarx instead of pursuing the company's liquidation.
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Alexi Giannoulias launched the "Green Rewards" program, which gives a $1,000 rebate to Illinois residents who purchase a new hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle.
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The Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program, which Alexi Giannoulias designed in a partnership with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, awards an initial investment of $2,500 in college savings to children who have lost a parent in military service since 2001.
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In 2008, Alexi Giannoulias announced the creation of the Bright Start Scholarship Program, which will award $3.5 million in need-based scholarships over 7 years, until 2015.
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Alexi Giannoulias developed the Cultivate Illinois Excellence in Agriculture scholarship in 2008.
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Alexi Giannoulias helped reform the program, and Bright Start went from being one of the worst programs in the country to one of the best.
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Alexi Giannoulias started a pilot program in 2007 to sell the abandoned contents of safe deposit boxes on eBay, scrapping the state's annual live auctions.
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From 2002 to 2006, Alexi Giannoulias worked as a senior loan officer and vice president at Broadway Bank, a community bank founded by his father.
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Nine percent of the value of the bad loans originated while Alexi Giannoulias was chief loan officer.
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Alexi Giannoulias has stated that he was not part of the loan committee that approved the loans to Giorango.
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Alexi Giannoulias ran against Republican nominee Mark Kirk, Green Party nominee LeAlan Jones, and Libertarian nominee Mike Labno.
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On March 2,2009, Alexi Giannoulias stated on CNBC that he was forming an exploratory committee in order to assess a potential candidacy for the US Senate in 2010.
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Alexi Giannoulias was introduced to the crowd by Congressman Bill Foster.
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On June 26,2018, Alexi Giannoulias was confirmed to the Chicago Public Library Board, marking his first return to public service since leaving the Treasurer's office.
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Alexi Giannoulias announced he would run for Illinois Secretary of State to succeed retiring incumbent Jesse White.
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On November 8,2022, Alexi Giannoulias won the general election, defeating Republican Dan Brady.
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Alexi Giannoulias married Jo Terlato in 2014 at St Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago.