William Lo
Independent · IL
William Lo is an independent candidate for Illinois Senate District 59 and the executive director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. A longtime restaurant manager, he also serves as general manager of New Kahala and is co-founder and president of Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity.
Campaign Finance Information — Illinois State Senator, 59th Legislative District
Campaign Finance Information · Illinois State Senator, 59th Legislative District · November 3, 2026
Data last updated July 27, 2026
- Raised
- $590
- Spent
- $369
- Cash on hand
- $715
- Debts
- $0
Direct contributions by size
- $100-$249$200
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections · 2026 cycle · elections.il.gov
Track record
Environment and Public Health
· 2 records
Lo proposes attracting specialized providers, keeping rural hospitals open, and making health care affordable and accessible.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo supports continued state funding for SNAP and Double Dollar programs that increase access to locally grown food.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Reduce Wealth Gap
· 3 records
Lo proposes funding education and training, expanding access to trade apprenticeships, and preparing Southern Illinois's workforce for future industries.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo proposes supporting existing industries and small businesses while attracting investment aligned with local workforce capacity.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo supports continuing Southern Illinois Made, outdoor-tourism, community-college, and university programs in District 59.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Healthcare Affordability
· 1 record
Lo proposes attracting specialized providers, keeping rural hospitals open, and making health care affordable and accessible.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Housing Affordability
· 1 record
Lo supports state-level property-tax relief and local homeownership initiatives to improve affordability.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 3 records
Lo supports expanding access to affordable child care.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo co-founded and serves as president of Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity.
July 18, 2026For
Source: carbondalechamber.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo supports continued state funding for SNAP and Double Dollar programs that increase access to locally grown food.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Public Education Quality
· 2 records
Lo proposes funding education and training, expanding access to trade apprenticeships, and preparing Southern Illinois's workforce for future industries.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo supports continuing Southern Illinois Made, outdoor-tourism, community-college, and university programs in District 59.
July 18, 2026For
Source: electlo.com · researched July 18, 2026
General
· 6 records
Lo serves as general manager of New Kahala restaurant.
July 18, 2026
Source: carbondalechamber.com · researched July 18, 2026
William Lo filed as an independent candidate for Illinois Senate District 59 on May 26, 2026; the State Board lists him active with an objection pending.
May 26, 2026
Source: elections.il.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Lo became executive director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce in October 2021.
October 1, 2021
Source: medium.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo accumulated roughly 30 years of restaurant-industry management and business-growth experience.
October 1, 2021
Source: carbondalechamber.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo and his wife created Southern Illinois Eats to promote locally owned restaurants and share restaurant-industry guidance.
January 1, 2020
Source: carbondalechamber.com · researched July 18, 2026
Lo was raised in Carbondale and grew up working in his parents' restaurant.
January 1, 1990
Source: carbondalechamber.com · researched July 18, 2026
Elections
- Illinois State Senator, 59th Legislative District · November 3, 2026 · State Senate District 59; Illinois
Profile last researched July 18, 2026.