Jim Watson (Illinois politician)
Encyclopedia
Jim Watson is a Republican
member of the Illinois House of Representatives
, representing the 97th district since 2001.
Representative Watson’s diverse background includes teaching at both the high school and college level and 10 years of business experience.
Jim is a current Marine Corps reservist with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group in Camp Pendleton, CA, and is a veteran of the first Gulf War.
In the General Assembly, Representative Watson has been a strong advocate for veterans’ rights, serving as the Republican Spokesman for the Veterans Affairs Committee. His other committee assignments include Financial Institutions, Elementary & Secondary Education, Telecommunications, Public Utilities (Republican Spokesperson), Gaming, and State Government Administration.
In addition to veterans’ issues, Watson continues to focus on education issues, fiscal responsibility, and growing Illinois’ job market during his time in the General Assembly. Watson is a father of three and resides in Jacksonville.
M.A. in History, Eastern Illinois University, 1990
M.B.A., University of Illinois at Champaign – Urbana, 1997
Adjunct Professor, Strategic Management, MacMurray & Blackburn Colleges, Fall 1999
Social Studies Teacher, Highland High School, 1990
Graduate Assistant, Eastern Illinois University, 1989–1990
Social Studies Teacher, Auburn High School, 1988–1989
Served in Operation Desert Storm, 1990–91
United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, 1985–1991
American Red Cross (Jacksonville), Chairman of the 2005 Hero’s Campaign
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois
Veteran’s Affairs, Spokesman
Elementary & Secondary Education
Gaming
Financial Institutions
Telecommunications
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
, representing the 97th district since 2001.
Representative Watson’s diverse background includes teaching at both the high school and college level and 10 years of business experience.
Jim is a current Marine Corps reservist with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group in Camp Pendleton, CA, and is a veteran of the first Gulf War.
In the General Assembly, Representative Watson has been a strong advocate for veterans’ rights, serving as the Republican Spokesman for the Veterans Affairs Committee. His other committee assignments include Financial Institutions, Elementary & Secondary Education, Telecommunications, Public Utilities (Republican Spokesperson), Gaming, and State Government Administration.
In addition to veterans’ issues, Watson continues to focus on education issues, fiscal responsibility, and growing Illinois’ job market during his time in the General Assembly. Watson is a father of three and resides in Jacksonville.
Education
B.A. in History, Eastern Illinois University, 1988M.A. in History, Eastern Illinois University, 1990
M.B.A., University of Illinois at Champaign – Urbana, 1997
Professional Experience
Vice-President, Marketing, Wareco Convenience Stores, 1991–2001Adjunct Professor, Strategic Management, MacMurray & Blackburn Colleges, Fall 1999
Social Studies Teacher, Highland High School, 1990
Graduate Assistant, Eastern Illinois University, 1989–1990
Social Studies Teacher, Auburn High School, 1988–1989
Military Experience
United States Marine Corps Reserve, 3rd Civil Affairs Group, 2007–PresentServed in Operation Desert Storm, 1990–91
United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, 1985–1991
Community Activities
Prairieland United Way Allocating PanelAmerican Red Cross (Jacksonville), Chairman of the 2005 Hero’s Campaign
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois
House Committees
Public Utilities, SpokesmanVeteran’s Affairs, Spokesman
Elementary & Secondary Education
Gaming
Financial Institutions
Telecommunications
External links
- Jim Watson official website
- Illinois General Assembly - Representative Jim Watson (R) 97th District official IL House website
- Project Vote Smart - Representative James R. 'Jim' Watson (IL) profile
- Follow the Money - Jim Watson
- Illinois House Republican Caucus - Jim Watson profile