Dave Fako
President & Founder
Dave Fako founded Fako Research & Strategies (originally as Fako & Associates) in 1998 with the goal of providing clients with quality, actionable research and strategies. Dave Fako is recognized for his attention to detail, hard work ethic, competitive drive and refusal to accept the “I can’t” attitude. Dave Fako approaches all challenges and finds solutions to problems based on the winning philosophy espoused by the ancient Carthaginian General Hannibal and quoted by Saul Alinsky in his famous book, Rules for Radicals: “we will either find a way or make one”.
For thirty years, Dave Fako has developed strategy for statewide, congressional, state legislative and municipal candidates and referendums, and he has advised numerous public policy advocacy organizations, as well as national and regional private sector companies. Dave’s expertise is state, local and judicial elections, as well as marriage equality, health care, and smoke-free issues, gaming, clean energy, education, tax and bond initiatives, telecommunications and pension and budget issues. Dave Fako has written numerous articles on politics, appeared on Bruce DuMont’s nationally syndicated Beyond the Beltway, and regularly speaks on politics and polling. He was called “Illinois’ most often used and trusted pollster” by Capitol Fax Editor Rich Miller.
Prior to forming Fako Research & Strategies, Dave Fako worked as the Communications Director / Special Assistant to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Assistant Political Director for the Democratic Party of Illinois, and Legislative / Political Director for the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 825. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Degree in Corporate / Organizational Communications and is a proud alumnus of Brother Rice High School in Chicago, where he played football, ran track and other sports. Dave is an active endurance athlete who competes in running events, cross country ski marathons, triathlons and serves as a youth football coach. He and his wife, Maureen, live in historic Lemont, Illinois, with their two children, Max and Alex.
Contact Dave Fako
E: dfako@fakoresearch.com
C: 708-705-6791