Jerry Costello

Jerry Francis Costello (born September 25, 1949) is an American politician and former U.S. Representative for Illinois's 12th congressional district. He previously represented Illinois's 21st congressional district and served in the US House from 1988 to 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party and was the dean of Illinois's 21-member congressional delegation. In October 2011, Costello announced that he would not seek another term in Congress in 2012.[1] He was succeeded by William Enyart.

For his son, see Jerry Costello II.
Jerry Costello
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois
In office
August 9, 1988 – January 3, 2013
Preceded byMelvin Price
Succeeded byWilliam Enyart
Constituency21st district (1988–1993)
12th district (1993–2013)
Personal details
Born
Jerry Francis Costello

(1949-09-25) September 25, 1949
East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseGeorgia Cockrum
EducationSouthwestern Illinois College
Maryville University (BA)

Early life, education, and early career

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 as chair of the St. Clair County Board. Costello served in this capacity as county executive until his election to the House.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Costello took office on in August 1988, after winning a special election with 51% of the vote, to fill the seat of the deceased Melvin Price.[2] He was elected to a full term that November with 53% of the vote.[3] After that, he received at least 60% of the vote in all of his re-election bids, until his retirement in 2012.[4]

Costello was the most senior member of Illinois' House delegation during his final term in office. On October 4, 2011, he announced he would not seek reelection in 2012.[5] Costello was succeeded by William Enyart, who was elected on November 6, 2012.[6]

Tenure

Costello served on the National Leadership Committee of then-Senator Barack Obama's National Catholic Advisory Council during his 2008 election campaign.[7]

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.

In 2011, Costello co-sponsored HR 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would strictly limit the situations in which abortion could be paid for by public funds.[8] Costello is a member of the Reformers Caucus of Issue One.[9]

1997 ethics complaint

In 1996, federal prosecutors alleged that Costello was an unindicted co-conspirator in a plan to build a riverboat casino. At the end of an investigation and trial, a longtime friend of Costello's was sentenced to six years in prison for obstruction of justice. Costello testified before a grand jury in regard to the matter, but was not indicted or charged in the case. He denied any involvement. In 1997, the Congressional Accountability Project filed an ethics complaint requesting investigation of Costello which resulted in no action.[10]

Committee assignments

Post-House

In 2016, Costello was a presidential elector from Illinois.[11] Costello was originally intended to be an elector in the 2020 election as well; however, in the official vote he was replaced by Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.[12][13]

References
  1. Lambrecht, Bill (2 January 2013). "Jerry Costello reflects on accomplishments, changes as Congressional career ends". stltoday.com. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  2. "Our Campaigns - IL District 21 - Special Election Race - Aug 09, 1988".
  3. "Our Campaigns - IL District 21 Race - Nov 08, 1988".
  4. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Jerry F. Costello".
  5. Rep. Jerry Costello won't seek re-election in 2012 Archived 2013-01-04 at archive.today, KSDK
  6. D.W. NORRIS, The Southern (6 November 2012). "AP says Enyart wins 12th District, Plummer not ready to concede". The Southern.
  7. Dan Gilgoff (2008-04-11). "Obama's Catholic Committee: The Lineup - God-o-Meter". Blog.beliefnet.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  8. "Full text of House Resolution 3: No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act". GovTrack.us.
  9. "Issue One – ReFormers Caucus". Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  10. "After 7 Months in Limbo, Ethics Panel Is Back". The New York Times. 12 September 1997. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  11. "Who Will Sit On The Electoral College From Illinois | NPR Illinois". nprillinois.org. Archived from the original on 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  12. "DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS SELECTS NEW DNC MEMBERS, ELECTORS". Democratic Party of Illinois. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  13. "Illinois Electoral College Members Formally Cast Ballots for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris". NBC Chicago. Chicago. 14 December 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
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