Chris Balkema, Illinois State Senator for 53rd District | Facebook
Chris Balkema, Illinois State Senator for 53rd District | Facebook
State Senator Chris Balkema (R-Channahon) has been appointed to the Legislative Audit Commission, a bipartisan group composed of members from both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives. The commission is responsible for reviewing state audits and ensuring that agencies are held accountable for their use of taxpayer funds.
“Every dollar wasted is a dollar that could have strengthened our schools, repaired our roads, or supported Illinois families,” Balkema said. “When every dollar is spent wisely, it’s a win for hardworking taxpayers who expect results.”
The Legislative Audit Commission was established by law to review audits from the Auditor General, conduct hearings on concerns raised in those audits, recommend legislative changes, and ensure agencies implement corrective actions as needed.
“I look forward to working with state agencies to resolve audit findings and demand real corrective action,” Balkema added. “Government must answer to the people, and this Commission is one of the key tools to make that happen.”
Balkema brings 31 years of experience at Caterpillar, where he worked with efficiency frameworks such as Six Sigma and The Agile Framework. He believes these skills will help improve transparency and accountability in state government operations.
Balkema, a Republican, was elected in 2025 to represent Illinois' 53rd Senate District after succeeding former state senator Thomas M. Bennett.
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