Paul Jacobs
Republican · IL · Illinois State Senator, District 59
Paul Jacobs is the Republican Illinois state senator for District 59, appointed in June 2026 after serving in the Illinois House from January 2021 through June 2026. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, longtime Southern Illinois optometrist, and former vineyard owner whose legislative agenda emphasizes fiscal restraint, ethics reform, public safety, gun rights, abortion restrictions, and regional economic development.
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
- $110,140
- Spent
- $108,053
- Cash on hand
- $28,766
- Debts
- $34,136
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- Retired$5,000
- Physicain$2,000
- Property Manager$1,000
Direct contributions by size
- $5,000+$25,000
- $1,000-$4,999$28,450
- $500-$999$4,250
- $250-$499$2,800
- $100-$249$400
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections · 2026 cycle · elections.il.gov
Track record
Environment and Public Health
· 2 records
Jacobs voted against Senate Bill 25 in 2025, arguing that the energy package would raise rates, weaken reliability, reduce local control, and hurt private-sector jobs.
October 29, 2025Against
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 2662 concerning nonresident wildlife permits.
February 6, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Reduce Wealth Gap
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1341 to repurpose the former Tamms correctional center; the bill passed the House and was referred to Senate Assignments.
April 25, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Anti-Corruption
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 2471 concerning required ethics training.
February 4, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Government Efficiency
· 4 records
Jacobs co-sponsored enacted House Bill 1226, which raised the age for mandatory senior driving tests from 79 to 87.
August 15, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs joined a 2025 lawsuit seeking enforcement of the Illinois Constitution's three-readings requirement for legislation.
June 17, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
In the 104th General Assembly, Jacobs served on House committees for higher-education appropriations, cybersecurity and data, ethics and elections, health-care licensing, prescription-drug affordability, and veterans, and was minority spokesperson for museums, arts, culture, and entertainment.
January 30, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1338 to create a professional-license recognition framework.
January 28, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Healthcare Affordability
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 2812 concerning next-of-kin rights for patients.
February 6, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Government Spending Reduction
· 1 record
Jacobs began his third House term promising to reject tax increases, legislative pay raises, and spending he considered irresponsible while seeking better services for veterans and people with disabilities.
January 8, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 2 records
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1344 concerning weapons carried by court-security officers.
January 28, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1345 to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act and end the state's sanctuary-policy framework.
January 24, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Housing Affordability
· 2 records
Jacobs sponsored House Bills 1334 and 1337 concerning property-tax relief for people with disabilities.
January 28, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1339 concerning the senior homestead property-tax exemption.
January 28, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 2 records
Jacobs sponsored House Bills 1334 and 1337 concerning property-tax relief for people with disabilities.
January 28, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs began his third House term promising to reject tax increases, legislative pay raises, and spending he considered irresponsible while seeking better services for veterans and people with disabilities.
January 8, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Public Education Quality
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1342 to reenact the Invest in Kids scholarship tax-credit program.
January 28, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Gun Control
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1343 to repeal the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.
January 28, 2025Against
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Women's Reproductive Rights
· 4 records
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1333 to repeal the Illinois Reproductive Health Act.
January 28, 2025Against
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1336 to restore parental notice requirements for abortion.
January 28, 2025Against
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1340, the Ultrasound Opportunity Act.
January 28, 2025Against
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1335 concerning legal protections for infants born alive.
January 28, 2025Against
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Election Integrity
· 1 record
Jacobs joined a 2025 lawsuit seeking enforcement of the Illinois Constitution's three-readings requirement for legislation.
June 17, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Civil Rights
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 2812 concerning next-of-kin rights for patients.
February 6, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Public Infrastructure
· 3 records
After joining the Senate, Jacobs urged continued negotiations to restore Cave-In-Rock ferry service between Illinois and Kentucky.
July 1, 2026For
Source: senatorjacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs voted against Senate Bill 25 in 2025, arguing that the energy package would raise rates, weaken reliability, reduce local control, and hurt private-sector jobs.
October 29, 2025For
Source: reppauljacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 1341 to repurpose the former Tamms correctional center; the bill passed the House and was referred to Senate Assignments.
April 25, 2025For
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
General
· 6 records
Paul Jacobs was appointed Illinois state senator for District 59 on June 29, 2026, filling the vacancy left by Dale Fowler.
June 29, 2026
Source: senatorjacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs practiced optometry in Southern Illinois for more than 47 years.
June 29, 2026
Source: senatorjacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs won the 2026 Republican primary for Illinois Senate District 59 with 17,975 votes, or 72.9 percent.
March 17, 2026
Source: multistate.us · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs served in the Illinois House from January 2021 through June 2026, first representing District 115 and later District 118.
January 13, 2021
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs and his wife opened Von Jakob Vineyard in Alto Pass and operated it as a Southern Illinois small business.
January 1, 1999
Source: senatorjacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Jacobs served in the United States Navy from 1965 through 1971.
December 31, 1971
Source: senatorjacobs.com · researched July 18, 2026
Integrity and Ethics
· 1 record
Jacobs sponsored House Bill 2471 concerning required ethics training.
February 4, 2025
Source: ilga.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Elections
- Illinois State Senator, 59th Legislative District · November 3, 2026 · State Senate District 59; Illinois · incumbent
Profile last researched July 18, 2026.