Joseph H. "Joe" Berning
Democratic · IL
Joe Berning is the Democratic nominee for Illinois Senate District 45. Raised on a dairy and hog farm near Galena, he built a 44-year career in sales, marketing, management, insurance, feed, livestock equipment, and construction-related business. He founded JB Consulting in 2012 and retired in 2019 to focus on political and agricultural advocacy.
Campaign Finance Information — Illinois State Senator, 45th Legislative District
Campaign Finance Information · Illinois State Senator, 45th Legislative District · November 3, 2026
Data last updated July 27, 2026
- Raised
- $16,708
- Spent
- $9,536
- Cash on hand
- $7,172
- Debts
- $0
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- Retired$6,525
Direct contributions by size
- $5,000+$5,000
- $1,000-$4,999$1,500
- $500-$999$1,500
- $250-$499$2,000
- $100-$249$2,430
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections · 2026 cycle · elections.il.gov
Track record
Reduce Wealth Gap
· 1 record
Berning supports more equitable benefits for lower- and middle-income workers.
July 17, 2026For
Source: berningforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Government Efficiency
· 1 record
Berning campaigns on bipartisan constituent advocacy, communication, and collaboration.
July 17, 2026For
Source: berningforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 3 records
Berning supports policies intended to save and strengthen family farms.
July 17, 2026For
Source: berningforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning supports expanded care for veterans, disabled residents, and older adults, including adequate nursing-home capacity and care.
July 17, 2026For
Source: berningforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning supports preserving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
July 17, 2026For
Source: berningforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
Corporate Accountability
· 1 record
Berning supports strong labor-union relationships and effective union representation.
July 17, 2026For
Source: berningforillinois.com · researched July 18, 2026
General
· 8 records
Berning was raised on a dairy and hog farm north of Galena and farmed with his father after high school.
July 17, 2026
Source: stephensoncountydemocraticparty.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning built a 44-year career in sales, marketing, and management across small and large businesses.
July 17, 2026
Source: stephensoncountydemocraticparty.com · researched July 18, 2026
Joe Berning became the Democratic nominee for Illinois Senate District 45 after winning the 2026 primary without opposition.
March 17, 2026
Source: multistate.us · researched July 18, 2026
Berning served about twelve years as a church choir director, about ten years as a parish pastoral-council liturgical coordinator, and two years as a Lions Club treasurer.
February 3, 2026
Source: shawlocal.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning joined the Jo Daviess County Democrats in 2019 and reports more than eight years of local Democratic involvement.
January 1, 2019
Source: shawlocal.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning became active in agricultural-policy advocacy by 2017 and communicated with members of Congress and USDA officials through his consulting work.
January 1, 2017
Source: stephensoncountydemocraticparty.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning launched JB Consulting in 2012 and later retired from that business.
January 1, 2012
Source: shawlocal.com · researched July 18, 2026
Berning managed multi-county sales teams for a feed company and later operated a Prudential Insurance office in Galena for ten years.
January 1, 2010
Source: stephensoncountydemocraticparty.com · researched July 18, 2026
Elections
- Illinois State Senator, 45th Legislative District · November 3, 2026 · State Senate District 45; Illinois
Profile last researched July 18, 2026.