Larry Schmidt
Republican · IL · Macoupin County Board chair and District 5 member
Larry Schmidt chairs the Macoupin County Board and has represented District 5 since 2018. His board assignments include Finance and Economic Development committees.
Where Larry Schmidt stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (3 records)
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 3 support
Brought data centers back up at a board meeting after a resident raised concerns. He then voted yes to send the topic to a committee to gather more facts. That passed 12-2.
April 14, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
Voted no on shelving for 12 months a resolution opposing data centers and their use of natural resources. The delay passed 9-4.
March 10, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
Voted yes to approve the Lotus Wind farm permit in northern Macoupin County. The project plans 45 wind turbines. The board approved it 10-6, with 2 voting present.
June 14, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: enquirerdemocrat.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 oppose
Voted no on cutting a pay raise for the county's head of property assessments down to 4%. That cut failed 6-12. He then voted yes on the larger 5.9% raise, which passed 14-4.
September 9, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
Track record — General
General · 9 records
Voted yes to put an advisory question on the November 2026 ballot about the county exploring a split from Illinois. It passed 9-6.
June 9, 2026
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
As board chair, moved the vote on appointing Derek Spudich to a vacant board seat ahead of public comment. Three residents had planned to speak against him first. The board seated Spudich, and Schmidt defended the change as the chair's right.
March 10, 2026
Source: thebengilpost.com
Voted yes on a county board resolution condemning political violence. He told the board it was a compromise worked out in committee. It passed 17-0, with 1 member abstaining.
October 14, 2025
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
Voted yes on the county's 2025-26 budget. It planned $10,346,161 in general fund spending and a $14,660 surplus. It passed 14-0.
August 12, 2025
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
Published a letter apologizing for comparing being gay to a disability in an online comment. In the same letter, he said he still agreed with Anheuser-Busch dropping its Pride parade sponsorship. He also wrote that he believes there are only two sexes.
May 20, 2025
Source: thebengilpost.com
Apologized at a county board meeting for a Facebook comment he posted about Pride events. Protesters had come to the meeting over the comment. He said he posted it as a private person and would take it back if he could.
April 8, 2025
Source: macoupincountyil.community.diligentoneplatform.com
Was chosen again as chair of the Macoupin County Board by a unanimous board vote. He already held the job.
December 10, 2024
Source: enquirerdemocrat.com
Voted yes to rehire Emily Gerl as the county's animal control head after she had resigned. A resident had raised concerns about her past job. The motion passed with 7 yes, 3 no, and 6 present.
October 8, 2024
Source: enquirerdemocrat.com
Joined a 17-0 county board vote for a resolution opposing the state's assault weapons ban (Protect Illinois Communities Act). As chair, he called it a "very strong aye." The resolution also said county money and staff would not be used to enforce the ban.
January 11, 2023
Source: enquirerdemocrat.com
Past race Larry Schmidt ran in:
- Macoupin County Board District 5 · November 3, 2026 · Macoupin County, Illinois · incumbent