Photo of Chris Balkema
R Illinois Senate · District 53 On the 2026 ballot

Sen. Chris Balkema

Compare
Total votes
1,839
all sessions
Attendance
99%
15 missed
Higher than 80% of chamber peers
With party
97%
of cast votes
Lower than 80% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
2%
crosses aisle rarely
Higher than 80% of chamber peers
Sponsored
404
bills & resolutions
Higher than 87% of chamber peers
Committees
7
assignments
404 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
404
Primary
74
Co-sponsor
330
This page
404
matching current filters
Co-sponsor SB 2773
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to issue a short-term approval for a paraprofessional educator to an individual who does not meet the requirements necessary for issuance of an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement. Provides that the short-term approval authorizes an individual to serve as a paraprofessional educator in a school district, including a charter school, or a State-operated program, with the short-term approval expiring on June 30 immediately following the third full fiscal year after the approval was issued without renewal. Provides that upon expiration of the short-term approval, the State Superintendent of Education shall issue an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement to the individual if the individual meets specified requirements.

Signed into law Jul 24, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 2826
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
PEN CD-IMRF-BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that no person who has earned creditable service through employment by the Fund shall be eligible to serve as a trustee.

Signed into law Jul 24, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 2102
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
PROP TX-BUDGET FILING

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district's budget and appropriation ordinance and estimate of revenues may be filed electronically with the county clerk. Provides that, if a taxing district's budget and appropriation ordinance and estimate of revenues are filed electronically with the county clerk, the county clerk shall accept and acknowledge that electronic filing by providing a receipt to the taxing district. Effective immediately.

Signed into law Jul 24, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 2190
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
REGULATION-TECH

Maddy summaryHB 2190 amends the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act by making a technical correction to the section that states the act's short title. This change does not alter any licensing requirements, standards, or operational provisions for behavior analysts. The bill solely updates the statutory reference to the act's formal name without affecting how professionals are licensed or regulated. It has no practical impact on the public or the profession, as it addresses only administrative language.

Signed into law Jul 24, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 3862
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
CRIM CD&PRO-PUBLIC CORRUPTION

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law, expands the definition of "predicate activity" to include bribery, official misconduct, solicitation misconduct (State government), solicitation misconduct (local government), and legislative misconduct. Extends the repeal of the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law to January 1, 2035 (rather than July 1, 2027). Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Expands the authority of the State's Attorney to seek a court order authorizing the interception of a private communication when no party has consented to the interception and the interception may provide evidence of, or may assist in the apprehension of a person who has committed, is committing, or is about to commit an offense to include predicate activity under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law. Effective immediately.

In committee Jul 20, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 3369
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
CRIM CD-BRIBERY&LEG MISCONDUCT

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that bribery and legislative misconduct include the receipt of property or personal advantage after the improper act has been performed (rather than just the intent to influence the improper act). Provides that the provisions do not apply to the promise, tender, acceptance, or receipt of any campaign contributions that are permissible under the Election Code.

In committee Jul 20, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 3370
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
ETHICS-REVOLVING DOOR

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that an employer shall not knowingly offer employment, compensation, or fees for services to a person if that person is prohibited by the Act's revolving door prohibitions from accepting employment, compensation, or fees for services from that employer. Grants the Executive Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission jurisdiction over employers who make offers of employment, compensation, or fees for services in violation of this prohibition. Authorizes an ethics commission to impose a penalty of up to 3 times the total annual compensation that was offered in violation of this prohibition.

In committee Jul 20, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 5524
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
UTILITY CHARGE TRANSPARENCY

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall maintain a website that details any charges, either required by law or approved by the Commission, that are charged by an electric utility, other than delivery or supply charges. Provides that the website shall include certain information for amounts collected from a charge that are remitted to the State and for amounts collected from a charge that are retained by the electric utility.

Signed into law Jul 20, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 3983
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
NO PRIVATE PAY FOR PUBLIC WORK

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that no State employee may receive monetary or other compensation from any private party for work performed within the scope of his or her employment by a State agency. Effective immediately.

In committee Jul 20, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 3984
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
ELEC-POLITICAL COMMITTEE FUNDS

Amends the Election Code. Prohibits a political committee from making expenditures for taxable compensation to an immediate family member of a public official or candidate. Defines "immediate family member" and "payments". Effective immediately.

In committee Jul 20, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Showing 11 to 20 of 404 bills