

Chris Balkema
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chris Balkema
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 53
Incumbent
No
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*
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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