SPRINGFIELD – Nationwide, small business owners have been experiencing more optimism about the future of the U.S. economy—and their own companies—than they have in years. But in Illinois, the local economic climate has not provided quite as much cause for confidence.
NFIB Illinois continues to go to bat for the state’s small business owners in Springfield, however. Additionally, as November’s election approaches, the NFIB Illinois Political Action Committee has also been active in identifying the candidates who understand the issues important to these employers. As such, the PAC—which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members—has recently endorsed candidates in 68 state legislative races—16 for state Senate seats, and 52 for state House of Representative seats.
The Illinois Senate consists of 59 members and Illinois House 118 – meaning the NFIB IL found that only 27 percent of the candidates running for seats in Democrat-controlled Senate supported small businesses, and only 44 percent of the 2018 candidates running for the Democrat-controlled House.
“Our members support candidates who support small business,” said Mark Grant, NFIB/IL state director. “These candidates clearly understand the vital role small businesses play in the state’s economy and are committed to creating an environment where they can expand and create jobs.”
Here is a list of the NFIB IL PAC’s endorsed candidates, with their district preceding their name and an asterisk following if they are an NFIB member:
Senate
21 Michael Connelly
23 Seth Lewis
24 Chris Nybo
26 Dan McConchie
27 Tom Rooney
32 Craig Wilcox
33 Don DeWitte
36 Neil Anderson
38 Sue Rezin
44 Bill Brady
45 Brian Stewart
48 Seth McMillan*
54 Jason Plummer
56 Hal Patton
57 Tanya Hildenbrand
59 Dale Fowler
House
19 Ammie Kessem
20 Michael McAuliffe
37 Margo McDermed
41 Grant Wehrli
45 Christine Winger
48 Peter Breen
49 Tonia Khouri
50 Keith Wheeler*
52 David McSweeney
53 Eddie Corrigan
54 Tom Morrison
55 Marilyn Smolenski
56 Jillian Bernas
58 Rick Lessor
59 Karen Feldman
61 Sheri Jesiel
62 Ken Idstein
63 Steven Reick
64 Tom Weber
65 Dan Ugaste
68 John Cabello
69 Joe Sosnowski
71 Tony McCombie
73 Ryan Spain
74 Dan Swanson*
76 Jerry Long
79 Lindsay Parkhurst
81 David Olsen
82 Jim Durkin
87 Tim Butler
88 Keith Sommer
89 Andrew Chesney
90 Tom Demmer
94 Randy Frese
95 Avery Bourne
97 Mark Batinick
99 Mike Murphy
100 C.D. Davidsmeyer*
102 Brad Halbrook
104 Mike Marron
105 Dan Brady
106 Tom Bennett
107 Blain Wilhour
108 Charlie Meier*
109 Darren Bailey*
110 Chris Miller*
111 Mike Babcock
112 Dwight Kay
113 Doug Jameson*
116 Jerry Costello
117 Dave Severin
118 Patrick Windhorst
