Sue Goral has headed the Winnebago County Treasurer’s Office for 22 years. She would like to continue to do so for four more years.
But first, she’ll have to defeat Republican challenger Steve Schultz in the Nov. 8 election.
Goral, a Democrat, defeated Alan Palmer in 2000 to fill the unexpired term of Doug Aurand. She ran unopposed in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. Her office came under scrutiny this year when it was learned that she was a victim of an email scam that cost the county more than $70,000.
Schultz, a Republican member of the county board, is a certified public accountant recently retired from a 32-year career managing the finances of Converge Cornerstone Fund, a national organization that represents 1,500 churches across the country.
As treasurer, Schultz said he will modernize the treasurer’s office, improve fiscal responsibility and increase returns on county funds.
Questionnaires were sent to both candidates to learn more about them and what issues they see in the Treasurer’s Office and how they would address them. Here are their responses:
Name: Susan J. Goral
Age: 76
Family: Married, two adult children, three grandchildren
Residence: Rockford
Education: Graduate of Muldoon High School
Profession: Winnebago County Treasurer
Memberships and associations: Illinois County Treasurers Association, Government Financial Officers Association
Political experience: I have worked in the treasurer’s office for 45 years, 22 years as treasurer
Endorsements: No…
