Since taking office, Kirk Dillard has been the chief sponsor of many landmark pieces of legislation, including a law banning sex offenders from practicing medicine in Illinois. Sen. Dillard also sponsored Illinois’ first campaign finance/ethics reforms in 25 years, and was the sponsor of the law to create the Illinois Internet Portal to disclose online every salary, contract, tax break, and tax deadbeat.

Kirk Dillard was the sponsor of the truth-in-sentencing law to ensure felons serve their full sentences, mandatory DNA testing of all felons, the “Safe to Learn” Act ensuring school safety, the reorganization of the public higher education system, the tough anti-gun crime law known as “15-20-Life,” and a Dillard law made it a felony to commit a drive-by shooting from a motor vehicle.

Senator Dillard authored the first statute outlawing date rape or designer drugs. A Dillard bill bolstered public access to Internet information about sexual predators and established and improved the Amber Alert Child Emergency Location system in Illinois. He also sponsored a law to give citizens access to more information about sex offenders.

Kirk Dillard cosponsored the comprehensive reform of Illinois’ capital punishment system, and has been a strong advocate for tort reform and medical malpractice insurance reform to ensure access to health care in Illinois, especially for cases involving women, children and in emergency situations.

Dillard created thousands of jobs by shepherding the legislation to expand McCormick Place and Navy Pier. He also sponsored the law encouraging the Boeing Company to establish its headquarters in Chicago, as well as legislation to encourage Navistar to move its headquarters back to Lisle, Illinois. A Dillard bill was responsible for returning the Pledge of Allegiance to Illinois high schools after a 30-year absence, and he successfully sponsored the Secretary of State’s railroad safety initiatives, which have dramatically reduced railroad crossing deaths.

Experience

From December 1990 to December 1993, Dillard served with distinction as Chief of Staff to former Governor Jim Edgar. He was a Judge on the Court of Claims from February 1987 to December 1990, and Director of Legislative Affairs for former Governor James Thompson from October 1983 to February 1987.

Committees

Kirk Dillard is the Republican Spokesman for the Senate Judiciary Committee, and also serves as a member on the Senate Transportation, Energy, Executive Appointments, and State Government and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Organizations

Dillard serves on the Board of Directors for the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in Hinsdale, as well as the College of DuPage Foundation Board. He is also a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the DePaul University College of Law, and the Advisory Board of Friends of Rush Children’s Hospital. The Senator also serves as a mentor for the University of Chicago Graduate School of Public Policies Studies.

Personal

Dillard lives in Hinsdale with his wife, Stephanie, and daughters, Emma and Ava. A graduate of Hinsdale Central High School, he earned with honors a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Western Illinois University and a Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law. He is a partner with Locke Lord, one of Chicago’s largest law firms.