By Krista Kukowski, Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill – The first order of business for Illinois' new state Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias, is an ethics policy for his office.
Giannoulias, 30, was criticized during the campaign for accepting donations from individuals who had received loans from his family's Chicago based bank. He still won the race and denies there was any connection.
However, his first action in his new job goes to the heart of the matter: Giannoulias says he'll no longer accept campaign money from banks and Treasurer employees will be barred from accepting lobbyist gifts.
There's this black eye in Illinois politics - scandal, corruption, pay to play," said Giannoulias, shortly after being sworn into office this week. "And I think as someone new coming in it's important to get to work right away."
Gianoulias also says he will work to improve the state's Bright Start College Savings Program, and will auction off surplus property on EBAY.
The Democrat replaces long time Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.