John Milhiser today announced that he is running for the Republican nomination to replace retiring Jesse White as Illinois Secretary of State. Milhiser has dedicated his life to public service as Sangamon County State’s Attorney and United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, where he received unanimous bipartisan confirmation from the United States Senate, including support from Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.
“It is a privilege to run for this office and continue to fight to make our state a better place to live. I am running because we can do better in Illinois. We can have good government. We can have safe communities, and we can rebuild trust in our leaders,” says Milhiser. “As the next Secretary of State, I will continue to work to end the culture of corruption that has been fostered for decades in this state. Together we can forge a new future for Illinois unencumbered by the last half century of back room deals that have led our state down the wrong path. We must move forward, not backward, and away from the corruption that has plagued our state for so many years.”
Milhiser is not a politician. He is a public servant, who has dedicated his life to improving his community by leading a state prosecutor’s office, a federal prosecutor’s office, and most recently, a classroom. As Secretary of State, Milhiser’s goal will remain the same, to work each day to make a difference and have a positive impact on the citizens of Illinois.
As United States Attorney, Milhiser successfully prosecuted murderers, violent criminals, child predators, drug dealers, embezzlers, and human traffickers. Most recently, he gained bipartisan praise for leading the prosecution of an elected official on charges of fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion related to his alleged misuse of campaign money for personal expenses. Milhiser has a long history of investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption and other crimes against the public.
Prior to serving as United States Attorney, Milhiser was a prosecutor in the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office for 16 years where he was known as a champion for victims. He prosecuted serious felony cases, including First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Aggravated DUI, and the Attempted Murder of Police Officers.
John Milhiser’s commitment to justice and public service will help to restore faith in state government and our leaders. With a Governor and statewide officials who continue Speaker Madigan’s culture of corruption, Illinois needs someone of utmost integrity. John Milhiser will operate the office with zero tolerance for corruption and demand efficient and effective service to taxpayers.
The Secretary of State employs more than 4,000 employees, with a portfolio ranging from drivers’ services and the Illinois State Archives and Library to motor vehicle theft investigations and the Capitol Police Department.
For over 25 years, Milhiser has called Illinois home and has served our community. He has served on the board of the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center, Helping Hands Homeless Shelter, Memorial Behavioral Health Mental Health Centers, Sangamon County Juvenile Justice Council, and the Springfield Public Schools Foundation. Milhiser is a past President of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Association and a former adjunct professor at Springfield College in Illinois/Benedictine University.
Currently, Milhiser is teaching high school government, history, and English at Lawrence Education Center in Springfield. Milhiser met his wife, Gail, at the University of Illinois College of Law. They have been married for 24 years and have two daughters.
Learn more about John Milhiser and his campaign for Secretary of State at johnmilhiser.com.
