Park board member Badger wants to improve public accessibility to treasurer's office
In 2019, Lisa Badger was the top vote getter among Springfield Park District trustees. Like then, Badger, a business agent for Teamsters Local 916, thinks the same rule applies now for getting a strong showing.
"That's completely attributable to how hard I work," Badger said. "I'm getting out there every moment I possibly can, and I think people appreciate seeing candidates work hard for (what they're asking for)."
Instead of seeking a second term on the park board, Badger is up against Colleen Redpath Feger and Bill McCarty for city treasurer in the April 4 consolidated election. It became an open seat when Treasurer Misty Buscher announced her run for mayor against incumbent Jim Langfelder.
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Though park board has been her only run for office outside precinct committeewoman, Badger was a finalist to replace former State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, in the 48th District when he resigned to become a senior adviser to Gov. JB Pritzker in January 2021. The seat was filled by Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner.
"When the seat became open and available, it just seemed like a natural fit to be able to bring my expertise from State Treasurer's office to the City's Treasurer's office," said Badger, a community affairs specialist there from 2017 to 2020. "I have ideas to improve the accessibility of the office, to make it better for the residents."
Badger has particularly been chatting up younger voters and said it would be beneficial for the office to work in conjunction with schools, libraries and the city's office of community affairs to get more young people engaged in financial literacy.
Badger has the backing of her Teamsters Local, the Springfield and Central Illinois Building Trades and Labor, Sangamon County Democrats and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield.
And, yes, she has brought her namesake mascot back to her campaign signs and literature. Both Redpath Feger and McCarty have gone with shamrocks.
"I used the badger last time and everyone loved it," she said, with a laugh.
Lisa Badger
Age: 43
Occupation: Business agent for Teamsters Local 916
Political Experience: Springfield Park Board, 2019-23; Democrat precinct committeeperson Captial 84
Family: One daughter, one son
Education: Licensed Practical Nurse License, Capital Area Career Center; Associate in Arts, Lincoln Land Community College; bachelor of arts, legal studies, Dominican University; master of arts, conflict resolution, Dominican University
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Lisa Badger is running for treasurer in Springfield IL
