From the press release:
Press Release from Duco for Recorder
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Duco / 217-918-3734 / [email protected]
LGBT-RIGHTS GROUP ENDORSES MATT DUCO FOR CHAMPAIGN COUNTY RECORDER
Duco is the First Downstate Candidate for Local Office to Ever Receive an Endorsement from the Equality Illinois PAC
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY – Matt Duco was endorsed today for Champaign County Recorder of Deeds in the March 15th primary election by the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee, the only statewide political entity that is dedicated to securing and defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Illinois. Duco, running as a democrat, is the first downstate candidate for local office to ever be endorsed by the Equality Illinois PAC.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of an organization that has done so much to advance the fight for equality in Illinois,” Duco said. “The Recorder’s Office should serve all the people of Champaign County, and that is what I promise to do if elected.”
Foreign marriage licenses can be recorded at the Recorder’s Office, allowing a couple to have an official local record of their foreign marriage.
“We have seen local officials in other states refusing to perform their administrative duties related to legal marriages,” Duco said. “As such, I feel it is important voters know that I will treat everyone fairly, professionally, and equally as County Recorder. This will include recording foreign marriage licenses for all couples.”
The Equality Illinois PAC is the political arm of Equality Illinois, founded in 1991 to protect the rights of the LGBT community. More about their endorsements can be read by clicking here.
Duco is an executive board member of the Champaign County NAACP, a group that shares Equality Illinois’ goal of ensuring equal treatment under the law for all persons. Duco first got involved in political action working for now-retired State Representative Naomi Jakobsson, who was also Champaign County Recorder for twelve years, from 1984 to 1996. In 2013, Jakobsson cast a courageous vote for marriage equality. She now serves as the Duco for Recorder campaign co-chairwoman.
Champaign County is a fitting place for Equality Illinois PAC’s first endorsement in a downstate local race. The City of Champaign received thesecond highest Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign in Illinois. It was also the second county in Illinois to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Duco is 34 years old and a Champaign resident. An attorney for the past eight years, Duco works now at Sprios Law, P.C., which has an office in Champaign. Duco also worked for five years at a law firm helping the victims of financial fraud and property fraud recover their losses and put their lives back together. Duco obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law.
Champaign County voters elect the Recorder every four years on the same schedule as the presidential election. The primary election is on March 15th and the general election is on November 8th. The current Recorder announced that she is retiring and Champaign County voters will be electing a new Recorder for the first time in twenty years.
For more information about Duco or his campaign, email him at [email protected] or visit mattduco.com. Also, his campaign can be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/DucoForRecorder
