ILLINOIS STATE SENATE DISTRICT 37: Sen. Weaver named Champion of Free Enterprise by Illinois Chamber of Commerce

By Press release submission

Aug 24, 2020

Illinois State Senate District 37 issued the following announcement on Aug. 21.

Illinois State Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) has been named a Champion of Free Enterprise, an award given by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to legislators who have made special contributions to the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans.

"The Illinois Chamber rates lawmakers on our support of legislation and policies that create an economic environment that helps employers, small and large, provide jobs for our communities,” said Weaver. “This is a special honor this year, with the many fiscal challenges our state faces."

The Illinois Chamber rated all members of the 101st General Assembly based on legislators’ votes on the key business legislation as determined by staff and the Illinois Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee.

The Champion of Free Enterprise Awards are given biennially to members with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85 percent or higher over the previous two General Assemblies who have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit.

“As an entrepreneur, philanthropist and legislator, Sen. Weaver has found ways to engage the business community that make his communities better places to work and live,” said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch. “He is a pragmatist who has consistently supported policies that will improve the business climate in Illinois and the economic future of Illinoisans. Chuck has always stressed that job creation by the private sector is the one sustainable effort that can grow jobs for all demographics. We will miss him being a voice for business in the Senate, but we are proud to honor his achievements with this award, and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

The votes in the Senate and House are selected based on their impact on the business community. None of the bills used in the report are weighted, as there were an adequate number of bills voted on during this General Assembly.

“It is our job to educate our members on the record of their representatives and hold them accountable for it,” said Illinois Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher. “We believe the Chamber’s legislative ratings are an effective tool in determining that accountability and commitment to economic growth.”