AFP-IL Announces 2025 Prairie State Policy Champions

Nov 13, 2025 by AFP

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-IL) announced its 2025 Prairie State Policy Champions, key lawmakers from across the state who have been leading advocates on reining in government spending, easing Illinois’ state tax burden, protecting homeschoolers and empowering educational choice in the Land of Lincoln.

AFP-IL State Director Jason Heffley issued the following statement:

“AFP-IL is dedicated to advancing policy that helps empower Illinoisians by reducing red tape and government overreach, beginning in the state legislature. Each of the Prairie State policy champions celebrated by AFP showcased principled leadership that stood up for Illinois taxpayers despite pressure from far-left interests in Springfield.

“AFP-IL looks forward to celebrating these lawmakers in their home districts and continuing to advance our joint mission in the Land of Lincoln.”

Some of the members AFP-IL will be highlighting include:

House Leader Rep. Tony McCombie — principled leadership of the House GOP caucus
Senate Leader Senator John Curran — principled leadership of the Senate GOP caucus
Deputy House Minority Leader Rep. Norine Hammond — fiscal responsibility as House budgeteer
Amy Elik — Republican spokesman on the House Education Policy Committee, fighting for Illinois homeschoolers
Blaine Wilhour — Education Policy Committee member defending Illinois homeschoolers
Adam Niemerg — Education Policy Committee member defending Illinois homeschoolers
Dan Swanson — Education Policy Committee member defending Illinois homeschoolers
Senator Chapin Rose — veto session floor leadership on energy and transit bills
Senator Andrew Chesney — leading the legal challenge on the budget in the Senate

Additional Prairie State policy champions include:

Representative Joe Sosnowski
Representative Dan Ugaste
Representative Jeff Keicher
Representative Regan Deering
Representative Ryan Spain
Representative Travis Weaver
Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer
Representative Patrick Windhorst
Representative Kevin Schmidt
Representative Brandun Schweizer
Representative Jackie Haas
Representative Nicole La Ha
Representative Martin McLaughlin
Representative Patrick Sheehan
Representative Jed Davis
Representative Tom Weber
Senator Chris Balkema
Senator Steve McClure
Senator Li Arellano
Senator Darby Hills
Senator Erica Harriss

These lawmakers were chosen for their leadership on an AFP-priority issue, for collaborating with AFP and hosting joint events, and for maintaining a principled stance throughout the legislative session. Additionally, AFP-IL will be hosting events in members’ home districts, thanking them for their leadership on issues important to Illinois.