Homer "Chip" Markel
Democratic · IL
Chip Markel is a Navy veteran and retired Illinois corrections employee who served as a union president. He prioritizes lower property taxes and affordable energy.
Where Homer "Chip" Markel stands, based on their records
Supports
Labor Rights (2 records), Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Labor Rights
Labor Rights · 2 support
Joined a rally in Collinsville supporting the Workers' Rights Amendment, a proposed change to the Illinois Constitution that guaranteed workers the right to organize and bargain collectively.
August 8, 2022Supports Labor Rights
Source: labortribune.com
Led AFSCME Local 1175, the union for workers at Menard Correctional Center, as president from 1988 to 1994. He helped negotiate state contracts and lobbied the governor and Legislature to build the Tamms maximum-security prison for the most violent inmates.
June 1, 2022Supports Labor Rights
Source: labortribune.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Led AFSCME Local 1175, the union for workers at Menard Correctional Center, as president from 1988 to 1994. He helped negotiate state contracts and lobbied the governor and Legislature to build the Tamms maximum-security prison for the most violent inmates.
June 1, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: labortribune.com
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Spoke at a June 30, 2026, public town hall in Carbondale about keeping southern Illinois' public water systems out of private hands, after a proposal to merge local water districts raised privatization fears.
June 30, 2026
Source: dailyegyptian.com
Ran as the Democratic nominee for U.S. House in Illinois' 12th District and lost the general election to Republican Rep. Mike Bost, 218,379 votes to 72,791 (75% to 25%).
November 8, 2022
Source: clerk.house.gov
Received the unanimous endorsement of the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council for his 2022 run for Congress in Illinois' 12th District.
August 8, 2022
Source: labortribune.com
Past race Homer "Chip" Markel ran in:
- State Representative District 118 · November 3, 2026 · State House District 118; Illinois