Aurora Businessman Announces Bid for Illinois Secretary of State

From the Illinois Republican Party

Aurora businessman Robert Enriquez has announced his intention to run for Illinois Secretary of State in the 2010 election cycle. Enriquez, a United States Marine Corps veteran, pledged to bring greater transparency to the Office of the Secretary of State, and improvements that will translate to cost savings for taxpayers.

“I believe we must do everything we can to ensure Illinois citizens believe in their government. One way to do that is with complete transparency. Citizens must have every opportunity to see what their government is doing with their money –and what path government is taking,” Enriquez said. He proposes putting the Secretary of State’s budget online – with every detail available -- for public scrutiny. “Everything must be completely transparent,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez is a recognized business management expert who spearheaded a transfer of Ford foreign automotive capability from overseas to Glendale Heights, Illinois. “The result was a clear demonstration that adding local manufacturing jobs and an increase in the state’s tax base, as opposed to unrestrained outsourcing, is viable."

He led successful transnational marketing, distribution and manufacturing projects in the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Middle East for Fortune firms. He is Past President and Board Member of the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and board member of the River Valley Workforce Investment Board.

Enriquez plans to use his business experience to make improvements in the Office of the Secretary of State. He plans to take advantage of today’s technology to extract cost savings, which can in turn be credited to taxpayers. “By using the latest technology we can make the office more efficient,” Enriquez said. “The savings that result can be used to build on our success – and applied to next year’s fees. The taxpayers will benefit.”

Enriquez also serves on the Illinois Human Rights Commission, where as Commissioner he ensures compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act. “It is important work to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally,” Enriquez said. Enriquez was selected for the post in 2005.

Enriquez is a United States citizen, born in Honduras. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. “As I develop my plan of action for the Secretary of State’s office, I believe special attention needs to be paid to our veterans,” Enriquez said. Enriquez noted Veterans pay a special license plate fee. “We need to honor our Illinois veterans, not charge them as though their plates are a matter of ‘vanity,’” Enriquez said.

Enriquez’s experience as an Officer included overseas combat-ready troop command and chief interpreter and advisor to U. S. flag commands. He has received specialized NATO officer training and attended military schools in Europe and the United States, graduating from the prestigious USMC Command and Staff College in Washington D.C.

Enriquez is currently producing and narrating a bilingual Hispanic gang prevention video. “When Gangs Don’t Kill You” targets Hispanic junior high students on the consequences of gang life. He recently helped deploy affinity and grass roots marketing strategies for large public and private entities. He is on leave of absence as a College Professional Education Manager to pursue the Secretary of State’s Office.

A native English & Spanish speaker, Enriquez lives in Aurora with his wife Dania Enriquez Torres, a native of Puerto Rico, and has four children: Noelia, Adriana, Alexandra and Robert, Jr. He has a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from Case Western Reserve University and International Marketing MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College, both in Cleveland.