Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen is the U.S. Representative for Illinois' 17th Congressional District, first elected in November 2022 and assuming office in January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent Illinois in the United States Congress. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Sorensen attended Northern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology in 1999. Before his political career, he worked as a broadcast meteorologist for over 20 years, serving the Rockford and Quad Cities regions at stations WREX and WQAD. In Congress, Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. His legislative work often emphasizes his background in science and communication, focusing on issues such as climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and regional economic development. He has been an advocate for federal investment in Western and Northwestern Illinois, specifically targeting improvements for the Rock Island Arsenal and local agricultural sectors.

Sorensen's policy positions emphasize climate change mitigation and the transition to a clean energy economy, leveraging his experience as a meteorologist to advocate for science-based environmental legislation. In healthcare, he supports the protection and expansion of the Affordable Care Act, focusing on reducing prescription drug costs and ensuring access to care for rural communities. He is a vocal proponent of reproductive rights, supporting federal protections for abortion access. Regarding the economy, Sorensen advocates for strengthening labor unions, increasing the minimum wage, and lowering costs for working families. On immigration, he has joined bipartisan efforts such as the House Democrats' Border Security Task Force, supporting increased border security measures alongside reforms to address the immigration backlog and the flow of illicit narcotics.