Rutherford noted the latest satellite office opened in Collinsville on June 18 - less than five months before an election involving Giannoulias and Kelly, and two weeks before the close of the state's fiscal year which ended with a $13 billion deficit. Even the opening itself cost taxpayers, with statewide candidate Kelly traveling to Collinsville on official business to participate in a ribbon cutting, hold a press conference and conduct a drawing for $1,000 in college savings contributions to the Bright Start program.

As Treasurer, Rutherford vowed to close the satellite offices as a first step in cutting spending. He faces Kelly in the November 2, 2010 General Election as she is running to replace her boss, Giannoulias, who is leaving the post to run for the US Senate.

"The citizens of Illinois do not need more government offices," Rutherford said. "Illinois taxpayers do not need to pay for satellite offices to, as the current Treasurer puts it: 'provide information, education and outreach'. The spending is not appropriate and the state can't afford it. That is why one of my first acts as Illinois Treasurer will be to close those six offices."

A State Senator from Pontiac, Rutherford pointed out that Republican Judy Baar Topinka closed satellite offices when she took over the Treasurer's office from her predecessor, Treasurer Pat Quinn. But when Giannoulias took office in 2007, he brought the bureaucracy back - opening new offices in Mount Vernon, Effingham, Rockford, Rock Island, Riverdale - and now Collinsville.

"The added spending is stunningly irresponsible given that Illinois is in fiscal crisis, failing to pay schools, health care providers and social service agencies as promised and continues to accumulate debt," Rutherford said.

"Rather than staff new offices, the State Treasurer should promote its programs online and hold 'visiting office hours' in village halls or community centers if there is a need for specific community outreach," he added. Rutherford also dismissed the Treasurer's Office justification that the offices are in existing state government buildings, and thus present "no new cost to the state."

"To suggest it does not cost anything to open satellite offices because four of the six are in state government buildings exemplifies a lack of understanding of business and operations. It costs for the furniture, desks, computers, telephones, copy machines, maintenance, utilities and supplies," Rutherford said. "It cost the taxpayers for the big signs that have Alexi Giannoulias' name on them. Taxpayers paid the travel expenses for Robin Kelly to go to Collinsville and cut the ribbon. It also cost the taxpayers for the staff that wrote their press releases, sent out the invitations and took the pictures of the opening for the Treasurer's annual report.

"And besides, if there is available office space in one of the state government buildings, it should go to an agency that truly needs it, like Children & Family Services.

"Fortunately, Illinois taxpayers have an opportunity to weigh-in on the expansion and spending when they vote for state Treasurer in November," Rutherford emphasized.

"There has to be a different mindset on how Illinois government operates - and that is the focus of my campaign for Treasurer," he said. "I wholeheartedly concur with Comptroller Dan Hynes when, on July 9 with Mike Flannery of Fox Chicago, he said, 'I think what we have to do is make every effort to cut the budget, both in terms of small expenditures as well as large expenditures'." "As State Treasurer I know what one of my first cuts is going to be," Rutherford concluded.