Biography

Born: September 25, 1949, East Saint Louis, Illinois.

Education: Assumption High School, East Saint Louis, Illinois, 1968;
Belleville Area College, Associates Degree, 1971, Maryville College, B.A., 1973.

Occupation: Law Enforcement, Local Government.

Family: Wife, Dr. Georgia Cockrum Costello; three children: Jerry II (Lori), Gina, and John Patrick (Lindsay); seven grandchildren: John "Jay" Sinovic, Austin, Rorey and Ireland Keen, Jerry III, Victoria, and Georgia Danielle; all residing in Belleville.

Religion: Roman Catholic.

Took Office: August 9, 1988, to fill term of late U.S. Representative Melvin Price; started serving full term November 8, 1988.

Leadership in Illinois:
Jerry Costello is recognized as a Congressman who works hard and gets the job done. When he served in local public office, Costello laid out a vision for Southwestern and Southern Illinois which he took to Congress: to boost the local economy by building a new transportation network for the region. That is one of the reasons why the respected Almanac of American Politics has said that Costello is "as practical and district-minded as any Member of the House...If it can be done, Costello will surely do it."

Costello began his career shortly after his graduation from high school, working full time as a law enforcement officer while attending college. After graduating from Maryville University, Costello became recognized throughout the state for his creativity and ability in administering the region's court services system. In 1980, he was elected Chairman of the St. Clair County Board, chief executive for one of Illinois' largest counties. He took that experience to Congress in August of 1988.

Leadership in Congress:
Costello has continually stood up for the people of the 12th Congressional District on the tough issues. As a moderate on fiscal issues, he has supported a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and from his seat on the Budget Committee, helped pass key deficit reduction legislation in 1993 and 1997 that resulted in the first balanced budget in a generation. He has also stood up for his constituents by opposing trade agreements which will cost jobs in the 12th District, and he was one of only a few Members who opposed the Clean Air Act, which was grossly unfair to the Midwest and has devastated the coal industry in Southern Illinois.

Unlike some Members of Congress who get elected and move their families to the East Coast, Jerry Costello's family remains in Illinois. Costello comes home every weekend and holds meetings throughout the Congressional District when Congress is not in session. His wife, Georgia, is the President of Southwestern Illinois College. Her extensive career in education has included positions as a teacher, school principal and Assistant Superintendent of the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education. She has also remained very active in volunteer organizations and community affairs.

In addition, Costello has held hundreds of town hall meetings throughout the Congressional District and is also a frequent participant in dozens of public forums, civic meetings and radio call-in programs every month.