South Central Reporter

Republican state Rep. Charlie Meier of Okawville is proud to call the House Agriculture & Conservation committee he sits on in Springfield an outlier in state government.

“It’s the most nonpartisan of all committees, probably in the state and there’s only one bill that went out there with a partisan vote on it,” Meier told the South Central Reporter. “We try to do what’s best and the agriculture industry is the largest industry in the state of Illinois. “So, we try to keep that industry moving forward and keep revenue coming in the state that way.”

Fresh off winning re-election in the 108th District in November over Democrat Kacie Weicherding with nearly 74% of the vote, Meier has long been admired for his attitude about putting industry ahead of politics. Back in 2009, he was feted with the State of Illinois Conservation Farm Family of Year award and currently serves as the GOP spokesperson on the House Agriculture committee.

“We joke among ourselves if they give us the state budget we could get it done in a week,” he said. “How do you fix the state if you don’t work together? It’s hard to get anything moving where we work together anymore.”

 Meier is joined on the eight-person, bipartisan Agriculture committee by fellow GOP Reps. Andrew Chesney of Freeport and Dan Swanson of Alpha. Democratic members include Chairperson Sonya M. Harper, Reps. Larry Yednock of Ottawa, Mike Halpin of Rock Island, LaToya Greenwood of East St. Louis and Joyce Mason of Gurnee.  

First elected in 2013, Meier also serves on the House’s Appropriations-Human Services, Elementary & Secondary Education School Curriculum Policies, Mental Health, Economic Opportunity & Equity and Energy & Environment committees.

Prior to arriving in Springfield, Meier served six years on the Washington County Board.