A Southern Illinois Voice with a Purpose
Chip Markel is a lifelong resident of Southern Illinois and a military veteran. He served in the United States Navy receiving an honorable discharge in 1982. Chip is proud to have received a letter of commendation from the Command Carrier Strike Force SEVENTH Fleet/Commander Carrier Group Five Rear Admiral for outstanding performance during an Operational Propulsion Plant Recertification Examination for professionalism and outstanding devotion to duty during the exam.
In 1985, Chip began a 27 year career with the Illinois Department of Corrections. He was a union member, activist and served as union president at Menard Correctional Center for 7 years. He helped negotiate 4 Master Contracts and was the driving force to get a SuperMax Prison built in Illinois.
Chip is a proud family man and proven advocate for working families across Southern Illinois. Raised in a community where neighbors looked out for one another, Chip believes that the people of Southern Illinois deserve more than promises—they deserve real results.
Too often the political system leaves rural voices behind. His roots run deep here—from being a veteran and caring about Veteran issues to assisting with delivering much needed food to local food banks to attending union meetings. Chip is no stranger to hard work or hard conversations.
In 2022, Chip ran for U.S. Congress and earned the respect and support of thousands of voters across the region. Though he didn’t win that race, he built a powerful coalition and learned firsthand just how much Southern Illinoisans are ready for change.
Now, Chip is bringing that energy home—running for the Illinois House of Representatives to lower property taxes, expand access to affordable solar energy, and protect essential services like Medicaid and veterans’ healthcare.
He’s not a career politician—he’s a leader who believes Springfield needs to hear more from the people who make Illinois work. As your representative in the 118th District, Chip will fight every day to give Southern Illinois the voice it deserves.
When Chip’s not on the campaign trail, you can find him at his grandchildren’s school and sporting events, camping with friends or being with family.
This campaign isn’t about politics. It’s about people—our families, our future, and our shared home in Southern Illinois.
Join Chip in this fight. Because together, we can bring common sense—and real solutions—back to Springfield.
