Illinois Valley Times

Senate Candidate Chris Bishop is set to host a "Meet & Greet" event on Dec. 21 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Princeton Room located at 435 S. Main Street in Princeton, as part of his campaign strategy for District 37. A notable figure in local politics, Bishop is contesting for the GOP nomination, which will be decided in the primary election scheduled for March 19.

“Join us on Thursday, December 21st between 5 and 6:30pm in Princeton. Stop by and chat for a while! Feel free to share and invite others in the Princeton area!” Bishop said on Facebook.

The Meet & Greet aims to provide community members with an opportunity to engage directly with Bishop, learn about his platform, and discuss key issues facing the district. Known for his community involvement and dedication to public service, Bishop seeks to foster open dialogue with voters through this event. The gathering not only allows residents to familiarize themselves with the candidate but also provides Bishop with an understanding of the diverse needs and perspectives of those he hopes to represent.

Bishop announced his candidacy for the Senate seat in District 37 in late September. A native of Dixon and an experienced educator, he pledged to bring fundamental changes to Springfield's political landscape.

"I’m looking forward to bringing common sense back to Springfield," said Bishop during his official candidacy announcement.

With a strong commitment to his roots and over ten years of experience in Dixon Public Schools, Bishop brings a unique perspective into politics. His political journey is deeply rooted in his extensive experience as a teacher and high school wrestling coach in Dixon. In addition to holding a master’s degree in kinesiology, he currently works as a grain marketing and crop insurance representative in the private sector—adding practical insight into local issues.

Bishop's political career was sparked by Dixon City Council's unfortunate encounter with the largest municipal fraud case in U.S. history in 2015. Currently serving his second term on the council, Bishop played a crucial role in overseeing the transition to the current city manager form of government and hiring Dixon’s first city manager, according to his website.

"Chris is an official that believes in upholding the Constitution, supporting first responders, building fiscal responsibility, maintaining/upgrading infrastructure, nurturing economic development, and ensuring a quality education for students," Bishop's website reads. "He aims to take his common sense approach to Springfield and represent the needs of the 37th District at the state level."

The 37th State Senate District encompasses Lee, Bureau, Henry, DeKalb, Ogle, Rock Island, Whiteside, Stark, Peoria, Woodford and Marshall counties. The district is currently represented by State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills), who announced in August that he would not be seeking a third term.