Frerichs wins Illinois treasurer race

Republican Tom Cross of Oswego on Wednesday conceded the historically close race for Illinois treasurer to Democrat Mike Frerichs of Champaign, ending speculation that there would be a recount.

Frerichs, a Democratic state senator from Champaign, claimed the title as chief state investor 15 days after the Nov. 4 election. He told reporters he received a "good" and "gracious" phone call from Cross, the former House minority leader.

Mail and provisional ballots have been counted across the state in the two weeks since Election Day, with Cross initially holding a narrow margin of a few hundred votes. But Frerichs won the lead.

He acknowledged he received support from independents who backed Republican Bruce Rauner over Gov. Pat Quinn in the gubernatorial race.

"We've tried to appeal to everyone, but what we're going to try to focus on now, after the course of a long campaign where we were fighting for votes, is now we'll be the treasurer for all 13 million people in the state of Illinois," Frerichs said. "Partisanship falls aside."

Aside from Rauner, Frerichs' triumph leaves Republicans with just one statewide constitutional officer, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.

Cross thanked his supporters as he congratulated Frerichs.

"My entire family is extremely grateful and humbled by the incredible amount of support we received from supporters and voters across Illinois," Cross said. "As I campaigned across Illinois, I was continually reminded at how great a state we truly have. I am proud of Illinois, I am honored to have served its citizens in the legislature and I look forward to new opportunities to make our state even better."

The two bid for the open seat after Treasurer Dan Rutherford ran in the primary for governor.

The state treasurer is tasked with managing the state's investments and running programs like one that tries to match Illinoisans up with money from long-forgotten accounts.

•The Associated Press contributed to this report