Jerry Costello
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Jerry Costello
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office August 9, 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Melvin Price |
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| Born | September 25, 1949 East St. Louis, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Georgia Cockrum |
| Residence | Belleville, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Maryville College |
| Occupation | bailiff, sheriff, investigator |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Jerry Francis Costello (born September 25, 1949), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1988, representing Illinois's 12th congressional district (map), which includes the St. Louis area suburb cities and stretches to deep Southern Illinois. Costello was born in East St. Louis, Illinois and attended Catholic schools, graduating from Assumption High School. He was later educated at Maryville College of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis, from which he earned a bachelor's degree.
Costello worked in the law enforcement field. He served St. Clair County, Illinois as a court bailiff, deputy sheriff, and director of court services and probation. Costello later was chief investigator for the Illinois State Attorney’s office. In 1980, he was elected to the St. Clair County Board and was chosen as chairman. Costello served in this capacity as county executive until his election to the house. He earned a reputation as a fiscal moderate while serving on the Board and he took aim at balancing the county's budget. He also took interest and established a reputation for expertise in infrastructure and transportation issues. Costello led the move to bring "light rail" a mass transit train system to the St. Louis metropolitan area. He prevailed in having the first St. Louis area line established in Illinois and running to Lambert St. Louis International airport. Early skeptics later sided with Costello's vision in expanding the rail line to St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Today the St. Louis area "light rail system" is a resounding success and one of Costello's lasting legacies.
Costello took office on August 9, 1988 after winning a special election to fill the seat of the deceased Melvin Price. He was elected to a full term that November, and has been reelected to every succeeding Congress; currently he is the most senior member of Illinois' House delegation. In 2006, he ran unopposed for the office. Costello continues to spend most of his free time in his hometown instead of the Metro Washington area. He is known for holding town hall meetings and for his participation in political forums. He is also known for his strong constituent services. He was reelected easily in 2008.
Shortly after the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, Costello was prominently mentioned as a possible cabinet choice for Secretary of Transportation.
Costello is one of the more conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives. He has a pro-life voting record and has received favorable ratings from pro-life groups such as the American Conservative Union. Costello also has a strong rating from fiscally conservative groups due to legislation he authored during the 1990s that promoted a reduction in the federal deficit. He serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and also the Science Committee.
He holds one of the more powerful positions in Congress as Chairman of the Aviation subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure having substantial oversight over the airline industry.
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello official House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- SourceWatch Congresspedia - Jerry Costello profile
- Costello for Congress official campaign site
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Melvin Price |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 21st congressional district 1989–1993 |
Succeeded by District Dissolved after 1990 Census |
| Preceded by Philip M. Crane |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 12th congressional district 1993–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
