Jim Watson (Illinois politician)

Jim Watson (born 1965) is a former Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 97th district from 2001 through 2012. Watson’s 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. He was redoployed to Iraq in 2007-2008. 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.

Biography

Education

B.A. in History, Eastern Illinois University, 1988 M.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, 1991–2001 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

Military experience

United States Marine Corps Reserve, 3rd Civil Affairs Group, 2007–Present Served in Operation Desert Storm, 1990–91 United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, 1985–1991

Community activities

Prairieland United Way Allocating Panel

American Red Cross (Jacksonville), Chairman of the 2005 Hero’s Campaign Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois

House Committees

Public Utilities, Spokesman Veteran’s Affairs, Spokesman Elementary & Secondary Education Gaming Financial Institutions Telecommunications