Jerry Costello

Jerry Costello
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  August 9, 1988
Preceded by	Melvin Price
Born	September 25, 1949 (1949-09-25) (age 60) East St. Louis, Illinois
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	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.

Early career

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.

U.S. House of Representatives

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. He was known for holding town hall meetings and for his participation in political forums. However, after holding more than 400 town hall meetings he stopped the practice sometime in the mid-2000s^[1]. 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; the nomination eventually went to fellow Illinois Representative Ray LaHood.^{[citation needed]} Two hours before the inauguration of the President-elect, Costello presided over the House on Inauguration Day.^{[citation needed]}

He serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and also the Science Committee.

Actions as Representative

Representative Costello served on the National Leadership Committee of then-Senator Obama's National Catholic Advisory Council during his 2008 election campaign^[2]. The NCAC stumped for candidate Barack Obama during the later days of the 2008 primary campaign.

Votes on Major Legislation

Congressional Elections

2010

Fundraising

The largest PAC contribution to Representative Costello's campaign for re-election in 2010 is a $4,000 donation from Friends of Corrine Brown, the campaign fund of U.S. Representative Corrine Brown, a Florida legislator who, according to the St. Petersburg Times, "has a record of ethics and campaign violations."^[3][4].

Committee assignments

• Committee on Science and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Aviation (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Notes

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