Senator Kirk Dillard

Minority Whip

Kirk Dillard has served in the Illinois Senate since 1993. He is currently Republican spokesman and co-chairman on the Senate Judiciary Committee and serves on the Environment & Energy and State Government committees.

He also serves on the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Advisory Board.

During his tenure he was chief sponsor for several landmark pieces of legislation including Illinois’ first campaign finance/ethics reforms in 25 years and the State’s first truth-in-sentencing law.

Senator Dillard is also responsible for mandatory DNA testing of all felons, the "Safe to Learn" Act ensuring school safety, tort reform, the reorganization of the public higher education system, and the state's tough anti-gun crime law known as "15-20-Life."

Dillard authored the first statute outlawing date rape or designer drugs, and successfully sponsored the Secretary of State's railroad safety initiatives, which have dramatically reduced railroad crossing deaths.

Senator Dillard has created thousands of Illinois jobs by shepherding the legislation to expand McCormick Place and Navy Pier, and the incentives to lure the Boeing Company Headquarters to Chicago.

Moreover, a Dillard bill was responsible for retuning the Pledge of Allegiance to Illinois high schools after a 30-year absence.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Dillard served with distinction as Chief of Staff to former Governor Jim Edgar. He was a Judge on the court of Claims, Director of Legislative Affairs for former Governor James R. Thompson, and a member of the Senate legislative staff.

Senator Dillard is a member of the "Illinois Coalition," a corporate, academic, and government board that works to strengthen the Illinois economy by promoting science and technology. He also serves as a mentor for the University of Chicago Graduate School of Public Policy Studies.