Chris Balkema | |
|---|---|
| Member of theIllinois Senate from the 53rd district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas M. Bennett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 or 1971 (age 54–55) |
| Party | Republican |
| Residence | Channahon, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Taylor University(BS) Bradley University(MBA) |
| Website | Official website |
Chris Balkema is an American politician and member of theIllinois Senate from the 53rd district. The 53rd district includes all or portions ofBureau,Ford,Grundy,Iroquois,LaSalle,Marshall,McLean,Peoria,Putnam,Tazewell,Will, andWoodford counties in central Illinois.[1] Balkema was sworn into office on January 8, 2025.
He has a has aB.S. in business systems fromTaylor University. He has since held advisory positions on the Taylor University Business Council. He later earned aM.B.A. fromBradley University.[2] He was hired by Caterpillar in 1993 and has worked there ever since.[2][3]
In 2009, he was elected to the board ofMinooka Community High School District 111.[4] In the 2010 general election, he was elected as part of a slate in District 2 that defeated two Democratic incumbents.[5] AfterDavid Welter's appointment to theIllinois House of Representatives, Balkema moved from Vice Chair of the Grundy County Board to Chairman.[6] He served as Grundy County Board Chairman 2016 until his election to theIllinois Senate. While chairman, he has served on the Grundy County Economic Development Council.[2]
After the 2011 decennial reapportionment, Balkema explored a candidacy for the open seat inIllinois's 11th congressional district for the 2012 election.[3] He ultimately decided against running for Congress and instead ran for reelection to the county board.[7]Two years later, Balkema ran in the Republican primary for the 11th district.[8] He was defeated in by State RepresentativeDarlene Senger by a narrow margin of three points.[9]
In 2023, Republican appointed incumbentTom Bennett announced he would not run in the 2024 special election to fill the remainderJason Barickman's term. Balkema ran for the Republican nomination for the seat alongside Susan Wynn Bence, Bennett's chief of staff, Mike Kirkton, a member of the Livingston County Board, and Jesse Faber.[10] Balekma won the Republican primary and was unopposed in the general election. In the 104th General Assembly, Balkema is the minority spokesperson for the Appropriations - Education committee. He is also assigned to the other following committees: Agriculture; Behavioral and Mental Health; Education; Labor; Pensions; and Revenue.[11]
