BLOOMINGTON - Illinois' financial health is "a mess," the Republican candidate for state treasurer said Thursday.

"We're spending more than we're taking in," said state Sen. Christine Radogno, who faces Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in November.

Radogno, who represents the 41st District and lives in Lemont, described herself as a fiscal conservative during a meeting with the Pantagraph Editorial Board.

"Let's hold spending flat and let revenues catch up," she said.

If that's done, the state should get back on a firm footing in about three years, said Radogno, who represents parts of Will, Cook and DuPage counties in the state Senate.

The Oak Park native, who has been the Senate Republican spokeswoman for budget and fiscal issues since 2003, said the state's finances are in bad shape because of "mismanagement of the economic downturn."

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, she said, increased spending while revenues lagged.

Radogno, who said her experience sets her apart from her opponent, is seeking the post being vacated by Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. Topinka is challenging Blagojevich for governor.

"I have a good sense of state government in general and know how state government works," Radogno said.

However, she said her biggest obstacle to election is raising money to finance her campaign.

"I'm working hard to get the message out," she said.

This includes forming an agriculture committee to collect information on how to improve the state treasurer's agriculture loan program.

More than half of the 12-member committee will be from Central Illinois, she said.

Christine Radogno

Age: 54

Residence: Lemont

Occupation: Illinois state senator representing portions of Will, Cook and DuPage counties since 1997; Republican nominee for Illinois state treasurer

Education: Master's degree in social work from Loyola University, Chicago

Family: Married with three children