- Matt Goetten
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Matt Goetten is Greene County's State's Attorney for Illinois running for the United States House of Representatives for Illinois' 13th district. He was raised in Carrollton in Greene County, Illinois.
Early life and education
Goetten attended St. John’s Elementary and Carrollton High School. To earn money for college, he loaded trucks for Roadway Package Systems at night, graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. He later earned his Master’s Degree in labor relations, while raising a young family, working as a teaching assistant, librarian, and human resources consultant.
After college, Goetten returned to Carrolton, where he became a small business owner and teacher before deciding to attend law school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Career
In 1999 Goetten enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard. In 2005 his commitment to the National Guard was over but Matt sought a commission as an officer – serving as a Judge Advocate General with the Illinois Army National Guard. In 2009, Matt was deployed to Afghanistan, where his duties included serving legal needs of troops in remote operating bases throughout the country. Today, Matt serves with the Illinois Air National Guard.
In 2004, Goetten was elected Greene County State’s Attorney. Working with Attorney General Lisa Madigan and local law enforcement, Matt helped create a county drug task force that concentrated on fighting methemphetamine trafficking.
Goetten created a victim’s advocate in Greene County. He worked with DCFS to bring a child advocacy center to the area, and developed investigative techniques for child abuse cases.
Goetten announced his run for Congress in Illinois' 13th Congressional District.
Personal life
Goetten and his wife Erin live in Carrollton with their two children. He volunteers his time assisting athletic programs in the local school district and has been a member of numerous local service organizations including the Lions, American Legion, and Knights of Columbus.
(1) http://www.ilsaap.org/bio_goetten.htm (2) http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/government-and-politics/elections/goetten-to-challenge-gill-for-democratic-nomination-in-th/article_f5c07164-0c16-11e1-be58-001cc4c002e0.html (3) http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/state-57990-goetten-illinois.html (4) http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1439484975/Greene-County-states-attorney-to-seek-congressional-seat (5) http://www.rollcall.com/news/Matt-Goetten-Tim-Johnson-Illinois-Congress-2012-210219-1.html (6) http://wjbc.com/democrat-joins-13th-race-against-gill-johnson/ (7) http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/law_trends_news_practice_area_e_newsletter_home/10_summer_pm_feat4.html
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