Chris Balkema

Republican | Illinois

Candidate Profile*

Conservative (Conditional)

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Chris Balkema


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

Primary


Race

State Senator, Dist. 53


Incumbent

No


Links

Chris Balkema websites FacebookFacebookXYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn

EDUCATION

Taylor University, Upland, IN, Business Systems, 1993

Bradley University, Peoria, IL, Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2002

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

Lions Club - Minooka, IL, Previous Member, The Village Christian Church

Previous Elder Board Member, Caterpillar, Multiple leadership positions

Grundy Economic Development Council, Board Member

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Minooka High School Board, 2009 - 2010

Grundy County Board Member, 2010 - 2014

Grundy County Board Chairman, 2016 to present

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Congress - District 11, 2014

Race

Previous Races

ENDORSEMENTS

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)

Gary Bauer - Campaign for Working Families

Illinois ABATE

Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Illinois Realtors

Illinois Manufacturing Institute

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)

Tim Scott (2014)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Campaign for Working Families (2014)

Tim Ozinga (2014)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Country Over Party PAC (2010)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE*

*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Life is precious and should be protected.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

I agree that ALL drugs should meet safety standards but I do not support abortion. Life is precious and should be protected

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Tax dollars should not be used to fund abortions.

I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Strongly Disagree

I believe the all life is precious and should be protected. I support having a Living Wil.


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

The capitalist model and the right to private property are core values of our great country.

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I support capitalism and a free market economy. Wages levels should be driven by businesses and organizations that hire employees - not governments.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No

I support lower taxes and free markets.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

Governments should not close churches.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Requiring this goes completely against our Constitution.


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

C

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Vaccinations should be determined by individuals and their doctors.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

I agree that multiple governments pose serious threats to the United States.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes, it is critical to maintain a positive relationship with Israel. Israel must continue to be strong ally


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

The US must completely secure all of our borders. This is a #1 priority.


EDUCATION

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.

Strongly Agree


VALUES

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Strongly Agree

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Choose not to answer

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Any issue that harms the US can be a threat to our security.

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.

C

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Nuclear, Natural Gas, Coal, Geo-Thermal


ABOUT YOU

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

As referenced in the Constitution.

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Choose not to answer

These labels can drive division and create unnecessary labeling. I drive solutions and produce results for the American people while always having the best interests of the United States


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

We need to follow the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment.

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

They should be allowed after having the necessary training. If properly trained teachers were armed, our schools would be safer.

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