PEORIA, IL – In a courtroom surrounded by supporters, family, and media, State Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) took the Oath of Office on October 8, becoming the newest member of the Illinois General Assembly. 
“I am honored and humbled to be entrusted with the responsibility of representing 220,000-plus central Illinoisans at the State Capitol,” Weaver said. “I am ready to get to work, and while I have a lot of learning to do, I’m up for the challenge. I have made 135 face-to-face visits in recent months across the district and look forward to meeting with the constituents living in the 37th Senate District. I am ready to listen to their concerns and stand up for their interests in Springfield.”
Peoria County Chief Judge Stephen Kouri administered the oath to the new Senator. Weaver was chosen by the 37th District legislative selection committee to replace former Senator Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap), who was recently elected to serve as United States Representative for Illinois’ 18th congressional district.
Senator Weaver has been an active businessman and philanthropist in the greater-Peoria area for decades. Elected as an “at-large” city councilman in 2011, Weaver grew up on his family's central Illinois farm. He is a graduate of Dunlap High School, Bradley University and DePaul School of Law.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and I sincerely believe that my previous experience on the Peoria City Council, my unique professional background and my volunteer roles have well-prepared me for this new chapter,” Weaver concluded. “Illinois is at a crossroads, and I am optimistic that Illinois’ best days are ahead of us.”
He was joined by his wife, Laurie; daughter, Annie Bell and her husband Mark; son, Travis; and grandson, Will Bell.