Adam Kinzinger
Three alumni of the Department of Politics and Government were re-elected to public office on November 6, 2018.
Adam Kinzinger was reelected to a fifth term in the United States House of Representatives where he represents Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, which stretches across 14 counties in the state. Congressman Kinzinger serves as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Kinzinger graduated with a degree in political science from Illinois State in 2000. While he was a student, he was elected to the McLean County Board, on which he served between 1998 and 2003. After serving on the McLean County Board, Kinzinger joined the United States Air Force and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and received the United States Air Force Airman’s Medal in 2007. Kinzinger is currently a pilot in the Air National Guard, with the current rank of Major.
Jason Barickman
Jason Barickman was reelected to the Illinois Senate, where he represents the 53rd Legislative District and where he serves as the Senate Assistant Republican Leader, Co-Chair of the Legislative Audit Commission, Minority Spokesperson on the Judiciary Committee, and as a member of the Criminal Law, Education, Executive, and Labor committees. Barickman graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Illinois State in 1998. After graduating, he worked as a business consultant and later attended the University of Illinois College of Law, graduating in 2005. Barickman is currently an attorney with the Meyer Capel law firm, where he practices real estate and business law. Senator Barickman is also active in real estate investment and development. He remains connected to the Department of Politics and Government, where he teaches as an adjunct faculty member on a regular basis.
Elgie R. Sims Jr.
Elgie R. Sims, Jr. was re-elected to the Illinois Senate where he represents Illinois’ 17th Senate District, which includes portions of the South Side of Chicago, Chicago’s south suburbs, and Will and Kankakee counties. Before serving on the Senate, Sims served for nearly six years as the State Representative of Illinois’ 34th House District. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and as a member of the Criminal Law, Appropriations I & II, Telecommunications and Information Technology Committees. He also serves as a member of the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. An attorney and business owner, Sims graduated with a B.S. in political science from Illinois State in 1993 and received an M.P.A. from the University of Illinois and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Sims is Of Counsel and government relations and public policy lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. Sims focuses his practice on government affairs and municipal finance.
