SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce announced the addition of Keith Wheeler as senior legislative affairs advisor in a news release today, Dec. 19. He will join the chamber’s Government Affairs team effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Mr. Wheeler is a business owner and former Illinois House of Representatives member who served the 50th District from 2015 to 2023.
According to the chamber, Mr. Wheeler was a legislative leader who achieved significant success in the Illinois Capitol over the past decade. He was a senior advisor to the House Minority Leader, best known for his bipartisan approach to policy making.
“I am honored to be joining the Illinois Chamber of Commerce,” Mr. Wheeler said in the release. “I look forward to continuing the work of the chamber to strengthen the business community and advocate for policies that support economic growth and job creation throughout our state.”
During his time in the General Assembly, Mr. Wheeler was an outstanding ally to the business community, the release said. He exemplified this as a three-time recipient of the Illinois Chamber’s Champion of Free Enterprise Award (in 2018, 2020 and 2022).
The awards are given biennially to senators and representatives with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85% or higher over the previous two General Assemblies who have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit.
“A key part of the chamber’s value to our members is our legislative affairs impact via various councils,” said Lou Sandoval, the Illinois Chamber’s new president and CEO. “We look forward to having Keith join the team and expanding our legislative influence in Springfield.”
Mr. Wheeler will work closely with Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher to enhance and develop the chamber’s government affairs across the state as part of its efforts to better serve its membership and continue to establish the chamber as the Voice of Illinois Business.
Mr. Wheeler resides in Oswego with his family.
