State Senator Chris Balkema

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State Senator Chris Balkema Proud to Represent the 53rd Senate District
To contact us, visit: senatorchrisbalkema.com

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It’s officially October, and somehow this year continues to fly by! The cooler weather is starting to settle in, calenda...
10/05/2026

It’s officially October, and somehow this year continues to fly by! The cooler weather is starting to settle in, calendars are filling up, and there is plenty happening across our communities!

This week’s topics include:
• Balkema Business Tours: 8th Street Welding and Hydraulics
• Illinois Families Pay the Highest Wireless Taxes in the Nation
• Helping Illinois Families Access More Educational Opportunities
• Five Years Later, Illinois Needs a More Reliable and Affordable Energy Future
• Investing in Downstate Transportation

Read the full update here: https://www.senatorchrisbalkema.com/category/news/
Sign up for weekly updates here: https://www.senatorchrisbalkema.com/e-news/

Always glad to spend time with the people who answer the call when our communities need them most. I stopped by the Str...
10/04/2026

Always glad to spend time with the people who answer the call when our communities need them most. I stopped by the Streator Fire Department to present an Illinois Firefighters Memorial plaque from the State Capitol and thank our local firefighters for the work they do every day. Thank you for your service and commitment to keeping Streator safe!

It was great to stop by the Henry Fire Protection District and present an Illinois Firefighters Memorial plaque from the...
10/03/2026

It was great to stop by the Henry Fire Protection District and present an Illinois Firefighters Memorial plaque from the State Capitol.

I always appreciate the opportunity to visit with our local firefighters and recognize the men and women who answer the call when their communities need them most. Thank you to the Henry Fire Protection District for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to keeping the community safe!

It was great to spend some time with the Tonica Police Department and recognize the officers who work hard to serve and ...
10/02/2026

It was great to spend some time with the Tonica Police Department and recognize the officers who work hard to serve and protect their community.

I was honored to present the department with an Illinois Senate Police Memorial plaque as a way to recognize their service and commitment. Thank you to the men and women of the Tonica Police Department for all you do for the people you serve!It was great to stop in Tonica and spend some time with the people who work every day to serve this community!

I was proud to present the Illinois Senate Police Memorial plaque alongside Police Chief Rollie Copeland, Village President Eric Skinner, and a local deputy. Thank you to Chief Copeland and all of our law enforcement officers for their continued service and commitment to keeping our communities safe!

It was great to join Gentiva Hospice for the Peoria Branch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and celebrate this new chapter for t...
10/02/2026

It was great to join Gentiva Hospice for the Peoria Branch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and celebrate this new chapter for their team!

I had the opportunity to learn more about the personalized hospice care they provide to patients and families, with a focus on comfort, support, and meeting each person’s individual needs. I especially appreciated meeting the team behind this work and seeing their commitment to providing compassionate care to families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Congratulations to the entire Gentiva Hospice Peoria team on this milestone. I’m glad to welcome you to the community and wish you continued success!

A great turnout for our Community Blood Drive in El Paso! 🩸Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and donated...
10/01/2026

A great turnout for our Community Blood Drive in El Paso! 🩸

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and donated. A special thank you to our partners and volunteers who helped make the day a success. It’s always great to see our community come together for a good cause!

Great to catch up with Putnam County Sheriff Josh Boedigheimer and recognize the important work of the Putnam County She...
10/01/2026

Great to catch up with Putnam County Sheriff Josh Boedigheimer and recognize the important work of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office-IL.

I was proud to present an Illinois Senate Police Memorial plaque in appreciation of Sheriff Boedigheimer and the men and women who serve Putnam County. Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our communities safe!

America 250 Across the District ⭐Honored to present the Village of Onarga with an America 250 certificate as we celebrat...
09/30/2026

America 250 Across the District ⭐

Honored to present the Village of Onarga with an America 250 certificate as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary!

I’m thankful for Mayor Shane Cultra and his team for their dedication to serving Onarga and the people who call this community home. It’s always good to recognize the local leaders who step up and work hard for their communities every day.

Thank you, Mayor Cultra and the entire Village team, for all you do for Onarga!

It’s always interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at the businesses that keep our local economy moving! I recently...
09/30/2026

It’s always interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at the businesses that keep our local economy moving! I recently stopped by 8th Street Welding and Hydraulics in Gibson City, where I got to see firsthand the work that goes into hydraulic repairs, welding, fabrication, machining, and keeping equipment up and running.

Thanks to the team for showing me around and giving me a closer look at what you do every day. I always appreciate the opportunity to visit our local businesses and learn more about the work happening right here in our communities!

America 250 Across the District ⭐It was great to stop in Paxton and present Mayor Bill Ingold with an America 250 certif...
09/29/2026

America 250 Across the District ⭐

It was great to stop in Paxton and present Mayor Bill Ingold with an America 250 certificate on behalf of the City of Paxton!

Mayor Ingold has dedicated roughly two decades to leading Paxton and has played an important role in efforts to strengthen the community and revitalize its historic downtown. His years of service and commitment to Paxton are certainly something worth recognizing.

Thank you, Mayor Ingold, for your many years of service, and thank you to everyone who continues to make Paxton a great place to call home!

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Springfield, IL
62701

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