Chuck Erickson
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chuck Erickson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 88
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Parkland College, Champaign, Associate, 1989
Illinois State University, Normal, Bachelor, 1991
Indiana University - Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Juris Doctorate, 1994
WORK & MILITARY
Self-employed attorney at Charles N Erickson Law Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61704
AFFILIATIONS
McLean County Republican Party, Chairman
McLean County Board, Member - Chairman of the Justice Committee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
McLean County Republican Party Executive Committee, 2008 - 2014
McLean County Board Member, 2011 - Present
Chairman - McLean County Republican Party, 2014 - 2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Illinois State Representative, 88th Representative District, 2024
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Bill Brady
OTHER (1)
Dan Brady
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Jon Sandage - Former McLean County Sheriff; Matt Lane - McLean County Sheriff; John W. Parrott, Jr. - Former Chairman of the McLean County Republican Party; Former State Senator and Republican Candidate for Illinois Governor - Bill Brady; Former State Representative and Republican Candidate for Illinois Secretary of State - Dan Brady
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (10)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023); Dan Brady (2022); Darren Bailey (2022); Ron DeSantis (2022); Scott Preston (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Dan Caulkins (2022); Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2018)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am pro-life. We need a culture of life in the State of Illinois. The political realities are if we can save one life, I would support pro-life legislation that could pass in Illinois. Some states have passed 15 week bans and others 6 weeks. I would support the bill I thought could pass the Illinois General Assembly.
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
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
We need to support a culture of life. This won't.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None that I can think of. I opposed many of the Covid restrictions and led the fight in McLean County to keep McLean County open. I have the experience doing so. I would do the same as State Representative.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
We should consider restricting further Communist Chinese investment in our country and state.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Absolutely, Israel is a democratic friend in the Middle East. What we can do from a state level to support Israel and oppose the terrorist organization of Hamas, we should.
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.
I support option C.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I did not support mandatory covid vaccinations and I voted that way on the McLean County Board. Unless a vaccine is proven over a significant portion of time, it should not be mandatory. I would strongly consider religious exemptions.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Well we have a high one in Illinois so we might as well be practical. I would not support what has happened in Illinois. I gave a speech in speech class at Parkland College against raising the minimum wage. This was in the late 1980s.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Why we have the left the border open is a mystery to me. I supported the Trump policy of securing the border.
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
Parental involvement in their child's education is critical. They pay the taxes for that education and they deserve maximum say so about their children's education. Invest in Kids should be expanded not restricted.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
No, I would not without knowing more. I support law enforcement and fully funding law enforcement first.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support the 2nd Amendment. I opposed the gun ban passed in Illinois and the gun registry. I joined in on the case 3 of Tom DeVore's lawsuit in Effingham County.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Choose not to answer
I think government that is local is best. Let school boards decide in each district. However, it needs to be coupled with school choice, because parents ought to be allowed to take their kids out of schools that won't protect them and place them in schools that will.
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?
We have to have a government. The purpose of government is to protect our God given rights and the freedom of individuals. After that, provide the basic services individuals cannot provide for themselves, such as national defense, infrastructure, police and fire services.
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?
Very Conservative
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely. This is about child abuse. We don't let minors sign contracts at law yet we seriously contend they can choose their gender as minors.
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.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am a Christian. I do support freedom of religion and respect for other religious denominations.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Agree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
The electoral college is the only way rural areas would have any say so in Presidential elections. Without it, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles would control national elections.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe racism still does exist but this isn't the 1960s. Racism should not be tolerated. I don't believe it is a threat to national 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
Why are we even discussing this? It is hard to believe this is where we are at. Of course, biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports.
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.
I support option C. I do support sound environmental policy to protect water sources such as the Mahomet aquifer.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear energy. I support the move in Illinois back toward nuclear energy. It is a start. We also need to get back to making this country energy independent.
