Cheri Bustos
Cheri Bustos | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cheryl L. Callahan October 17, 1961 Springfield, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Gerry Bustos |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residence(s) | East Moline, Illinois |
| Alma mater | University of Maryland University of Illinois, Springfield |
| Occupation | Journalist, Health Care Executive |
| Website | Official website |
Cheryl L. "Cheri" Callahan-Bustos (born October 17, 1961) is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois' 17th congressional district.[1] Cheri is a former journalist for the Quad-City Times and health care executive at Iowa Health System, and was also elected to two terms on East Moline's City Council in the 4th Ward. The 17th district includes the Illinois Quad Cities (Rock Island, Moline, East Moline), Rockford, and part of Peoria.[2]
Early life and education
Mrs. Bustos was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, daughter of Gene and Ann Callahan. Ann worked as a pre-school teacher and Gene was both a journalist and public servant. Cheri was one of three children and attended Springfield High School.
Bustos attended Illinois College in 1981, and then the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received her bachelor's degree in political science and history. After a brief period working as an assistant in the Illinois statehouse, Bustos enrolled at the University of Illinois, Springfield, where she received her master's degree in journalism.[3]
Journalism career
Cheri Bustos worked for 17 years at the daily newspaper Quad-City Times,[4] where she uncovered several scandals and cases of corruption in the Quad City area. Bustos uncovered a police department withholding the names of prominent and connected people on arrest records, discovered that a fire chief was submitting fraudulent restaurant receipts for reimbursement, and investigated a township official's unethical spending, which led to an investigation by a grand jury and the State's Attorney. Bustos was recognized with many awards for her investigative reporting and helped lead the Quad-City Times' education coverage to a "Best in State" commendation by the state's newspaper association.
Work at Iowa Health Systems
After her journalism career, Bustos spent six years working as senior director of corporate communications at Trinity Regional Health System. From there, in 2008, she was appointed to vice president of public relations and communications at Iowa Health System, Trinity's parent organization and the nation's sixth largest nondenominational health system with annual revenues of $2.3 billion and nearly 20,000 employees.
Political activity
East Moline City Council
Bustos was elected in 2007 and 2011 to the City Council of East Moline, serving in the fourth ward.[5] With economic development a top priority, Bustos founded and chaired the East Moline Downtown Revitalization Committee, which led to the construction of the new community healthcare clinic.
Before first being elected in 2007, Bustos served on East Moline's Citizen Advisory Committee and the East Moline Plan Commission.
2012 congressional campaign
Bustos won the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 17th district of Illinois on March 20, 2012, with 54% of the vote. She ran against George Gaulrapp, mayor of Freeport, Illinois, and Greg Aguilar, director of Multicultural Affairs at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.[6][4] In November 2012, she will face incumbent Republican Representative Bobby Schilling for the congressional seat.
Personal life
Mrs. Bustos is the wife of Gerry Bustos, a captain with the Rock Island County Police Department and commander of the Quad City Bomb Squad. They have three grown children, all boys, and two grandchildren.
Volunteer work
Bustos serves as president of the board of directors for the Women's Connection, one of Illinois' largest membership organizations. She has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement of the Heartland in the Quad Cities, and United Way of the Quad City Area, where she served on the Community Investment Committee.
Bustos has served on the board of directors for Skip-A-Long Child Development Services and WVIK Public Radio in Rock Island, Illinois. She was past co-chair of the American Heart Association's 'Go Red For Women' fundraising event, past board member of the Midwestern-based Poison Control Center, and was a member of the Child Abuse Council's Public Awareness Committee. In 2009, Bustos was recognized for her community involvement and professional leadership with an Athena Business Women's Award.[7]
References
- ^ John Sharp (March 20, 2012). "Bustos will face Schilling for 17th Congressional seat". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Chuck Sweeny (February 26, 2012). "Area leaders: Dividing Rockford into 2 districts may hurt city". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Chicago Tribune Editorial board questionnaires & endorsements". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b Chuck Sweeny (March 15, 2012). "3 seek Democratic bid in 17th House District". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Barb Ickes (September 14, 2011). "Bustos vacates East Moline City Council seat". Quad-City Times. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Ed Tibbetts (March 20, 2012). "Bustos wins primary". Quad-City Times. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "2009 Athena Business Women's Award winners announced". Dispatch-Argus Quad-Cities Online. February 18, 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)
External links
- Cheri Bustos for U.S. Congress official campaign website
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org