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 78% of chamber peers
With party
97%
of cast votes
Lower than 82% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
2%
crosses aisle rarely
Higher than 81% 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
Primary SB 3651
In committee · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
SCH CD-SUB TEACHING LICENSE

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that an applicant for a Substitute Teaching License who holds a valid paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations and who has been working in the capacity of a paraprofessional in this State for a minimum of 5 school years does not need to hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or be enrolled in an approved educator preparation program in this State and have earned at least 90 credit hours to be issued a Substitute Teaching License.

In committee May 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 3243
In committee · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT LISTS

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that any recorder may publish property assessment lists in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or on the county's public-facing website.

In committee May 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 3122
In committee · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
BIPA-SECURITY PURPOSES

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Changes the definition of "biometric identifier". Defines "biometric lock", "biometric time clock", "person", and "security purpose". Waives certain requirements for collecting, capturing, or otherwise obtaining a person's or a customer's biometric identifier or biometric information under certain circumstances relating to security purposes. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to apply to information captured by a biometric time clock or biometric lock that converts a person's biometric identifier or biometric information to a mathematical representation. Provides that any person aggrieved by a violation of the Act may commence an action in State court or federal court within one year from its occurrence. Requires the aggrieved person to provide the private entity 30 days' written notice identifying the specific provisions of the Act that have been violated. Provides the private entity 30 days to cure the noticed violation. Exempts a private entity if its employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for different policies regarding the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric information. Effective immediately.

In committee May 14, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 4382
Passed · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
VEH CD-GRADUATED LICENSES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a graduated driver's license holder who is under the age of 18 is convicted of violating State law while operating a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, unless any additional passenger or passengers are siblings, step-siblings, children, or stepchildren of the driver, and that results in bodily harm, permanent disability, or death to another, the graduated license shall be suspended for 6 months. Effective immediately.

Passed May 13, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 2065
Passed · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Maddy summaryHB 2065 amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. It makes a technical change to a specific section concerning the short title of the act.

Passed May 8, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SR 696
Passed · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
NEC AWARENESS MONTH/DAY

Declares May 2026 as NEC Awareness Month and May 17, 2026 as NEC Awareness Day in the State of Illinois to encourage increased public awareness, education, and research efforts related to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and support for families affected by this disease.

Passed May 6, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 4196
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
TRUST ACT-LAW ENFORCEMENT

Amends the Illinois TRUST Act. Specifies that provisions of the Act that prohibit the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws by State law enforcement agencies and officials do not apply if the State law enforcement agency or official is presented with a valid, enforceable federal warrant. Specifies that nothing in those provisions prohibits communication between federal agencies or officials and law enforcement agencies or officials. Deletes prohibitions against agreements to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations. Deletes various specified prohibitions against assisting with immigration enforcement. Repeals the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act.

In committee May 6, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 4195
In committee · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
CRIM PRO-REVOC PRETRIAL RELEAS

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that when a defendant has previously been granted pretrial release for a felony or Class A misdemeanor and has been placed on electronic monitoring as a condition of release, that pretrial release shall be revoked upon a finding of probable cause that the defendant has committed a felony that is alleged to have occurred during the defendant's pretrial release after a hearing on the court's own motion or upon the filing of a verified petition by the State. Provides that pretrial detention shall continue pending resolution of the defendant's charges. Provides that the language that states at each subsequent appearance of the defendant before the court, the judge must find that continued detention is necessary to reasonably ensure the appearance of the defendant for later hearings or to prevent the defendant from being charged with a subsequent felony or Class A misdemeanor does not apply to a defendant whose pretrial release has been revoked pursuant to the new provision.

In committee May 5, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SR 749
In committee · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
IL BACON DAY

Declares May 6, 2026 as Illinois Bacon Day in the State of Illinois and invites all Illinoisans to thank a pig farmer by enjoying some delicious slices of bacon.

In committee Apr 30, 2026 0 co-sponsors
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