We join Leader McCombie in welcoming our new legislative members to the House Republican Caucus and the 103rd General Assembly.
Our talented group of freshman legislators include:
Mike Coffey is a lifelong resident of Springfield. He received his degree in political science at the University of Illinois in 1992.
Previous to his time in office, Mike managed one of Springfield’s staple restaurants, Saputo’s, and opened another Springfield Italian eatery, Papa Frank’s, in 2015.
Mike and his family are very active in the Springfield community. He serves as the Chairman of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority (SMEAA) board, which governs the Bank of Springfield Center.
Coffey and his wife of over 30 years, Lori, live in Springfield. Together they have three children.
Jed Davis was raised in Lisbon, Illinois, where he attended Lisbon Grade School and Newark Community High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.
For decades, Jed has worked tirelessly in civil engineering. He eventually became Vice President of Engineering and Development and has managed millions of dollars in public improvement projects.
Jed is also a dedicated member of his community, serving in numerous leadership positions. He has served as Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commission and Trustee of the Village Board for the Village of Newark, Illinois, and as School Board President for Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville, Illinois.
Jed and his wife Melissa are active foster parents. They and their four children reside in Newark, Illinois.
Bradley Fritts is a lifelong resident of Illinois, currently residing in Dixon. He graduated from Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling, IL in 2018. Brad received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2021.
Aside from his work in Springfield, Brad works as a substitute teacher, helping to mitigate the critical teacher shortage in Illinois. He is very close with his family and lends a helping hand with his family’s farm whenever he can.
He is also highly involved in his community, as an active member of St. Patrick’s Church in Dixon and a 4th-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Brad is committed to making Illinois a better place and spends time volunteering with Meals on Wheels, his local food pantry, and Buddy Bags.
William E Hauter was born and raised in Morton, IL. He received his M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1997, followed by his two residencies completed at Indiana University.
Bill is a board-certified physician who practices Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. He is a partner with Associated Anesthesiologists and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Surgery (Anesthesiology) at the University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria.
Outside of his work practicing medicine, Bill was elected to the Tazewell County Board and served on the Health Services and Property Committees. He was also an elected officer in his physician group, the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists. He is a fellow and delegate in the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.
Bill is committed to helping others and has completed multiple medical missions in South America and Haiti. He and his wife, Shelley, have five children and are active in their church, specifically with adoption and pregnancy center ministries.
Jennifer Sanalitro has lived in Illinois for the majority of her adult life. She and her husband Bobby, have been married for 20 years. They live in Hanover Park with their two children and a puppy named Lucy. Together they attend Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Carol Stream.
Understanding the importance of hard work from a young age, Jennifer got her first job at 16 as a retail sales associate. She worked her way up to District Sales Training Manager and eventually held an Executive Sales position for a packaging company. Her years of work in sales with both small and large businesses give her the experience needed to tackle the economic problems Illinois faces.
Jennifer has always been an active member of her community. She volunteers time at her local elementary school and with Brittany’s Trees, a not-for-profit benefiting the SADS Foundation, an organization focused on saving the lives of children with hereditary heart rhythm disorders.
Kevin Schmidt was born and raised in Belleville, where he attended Union K-6, then West Junior High, before graduating from Belleville West High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology at Logan University in Chesterfield, MO, followed by his Doctor of Chiropractic at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
For sixteen years, Kevin has served the Freeburg and Millstadt communities as a chiropractor. He is the owner and operator of his chiropractic practice and has opened multiple locations. His experience as a small business owner will give him the knowledge needed to be an effective legislator for taxpayers.
Kevin is very involved in his community. He is the past president of the Millstadt Jaycees and Optimist Club and a past board member of the Millstadt Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a Mason, Shriner, and an active member of the NRA. Kevin offers his services as a chiropractor by giving educational lectures and free spinal screenings at local events.
Kevin and his wife of 13 years, Laura, currently reside in Millstadt with their two sons.
Dennis Tipsword was born and raised in Woodford County, where he attended Metamora High School. He attended Western Illinois University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration. Dennis also graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
Dennis has served in law enforcement for nearly 30 years. He spent 16 years with the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office and the last 8 years as its Chief Deputy. In addition to his career in law enforcement, Dennis is a former small business owner in the construction and parking lot maintenance industry and a seasonal restaurant owner.
Aside from his work in Springfield, Dennis is a long term member of the Woodford County Republican Central Committee and a volunteer youth sports coach. He is also an active member of the Sons of the American Legion, Spring Bay Post. There, he volunteers to strengthen the four pillars of the American Legion: preserving American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
Dennis and his wife of almost 30 years, Betsy, reside in Metamora, along with their family of three children and three grandchildren.
Travis Weaver was born and raised in Peoria County, where he graduated from Dunlap High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Marketing from The University of Alabama and furthered his education at Northwestern University, where he earned his Master's in Business Administration.
Professionally, Travis worked in Finance and Strategy roles at Caterpillar while simultaneously investing and advising various local startup businesses.
Outside of his professional career, Travis tutors GED students with the Moonlight Coalition for Adult Learning, is the Chairman of the Education Committee at Wildlife Prairie Park, and serves as a substitute teacher. When he has time, Travis also enjoys competing in marathons.
Travis resides in Edwards, Illinois, near his family farm in Peoria County.
Two new members who can't be considered freshman are Representatives John Cabello and Wayne Rosenthal. They return to the statehouse after a hiatus to continue their work serving the people of their districts.
John Cabello was born in Texas, but moved to Machesney Park when he was a young child. He graduated from Harlem High School in Machesney Park and was a member of the acclaimed Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.
John began serving his community by becoming a police officer in South Beloit. He later worked for the Rockford Police Department and quickly became a detective. John has served nearly three decades as a police officer and remains on the roster of the Rockford Police Department.
In August 2012, John was appointed to fill a vacancy as the State Representative in the 68th District. He was officially elected to the seat in November of 2012 and re-elected in 2014, 2016 and 2018. During that time, John served on numerous committees, including Appropriations-Capital, Appropriations-Public Safety (Republican Spokesperson), Transportation: Regulation, Labor & Commerce, and Judiciary – Criminal. His time in law enforcement gave him the experience to be an effective legislator as crime surged in the state.
John served as a Harlem Township Trustee and a Winnebago County Board member for District 8. In those positions, he declined pay and benefits; further demonstrating his commitment to public service.
Wayne Rosenthal is an Illinois native and currently resides in Morrisonville. He graduated from Morrisonville High School and attended SIU-Edwardsville for three years.
Wayne paused his college career and joined the Illinois Air National Guard/USAF to complete Navigator flight training. He also completed the F-4 Combat Crew training and the USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course. He was a distinguished graduate and recipient of the Husik Memorial Trophy, awarded to the top aviator in the class. Wayne returned to Springfield to attend Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois-Springfield) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.
In 2010, he was elected as the State Representative for District 95. Wayne stepped down from this position in 2015 when he was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He was reelected to the House of Representatives for the new 108th District for the 103rd General Assembly.
When Wayne is not in Springfield, he works with his sons on their family farm. Together they have utilized no-till practices, replanted trees on their farm grounds, and established three wetlands by planting native grasses and pollinator plants in marginal areas.
Wayne has served on the Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees since 2009
Wayne and his wife of over 50 years, Marcia, recently celebrated their Golden anniversary. Together they have three sons and six grandchildren.