Chris Balkema

Chris Balkema is an American politician serving as a member of the Illinois Senate for the 53rd district since January 2025. A long-time employee of Caterpillar, he began his political career on the Minooka Community High School District 111 board in 2009 and later served as the Chairman of the Grundy County Board from 2016 to 2025. Balkema holds a B.S. in business systems from Taylor University and an M.B.A. from Bradley University. In the Illinois Senate, he serves as the minority spokesperson for the Appropriations-Education committee.