Homer Markel

Homer Markel served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1982. He earned a high school diploma from Trico High School.

As of 2026, he is retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a proud Navy veteran, a dedicated union activist, and a steadfast supporter of the Constitution. My life has been built on service -- to my country, to working families, and to my community. After honorable serving in the United States Navy, I continued with advocacy and solidarity as a union activist and leader. I have been a member of IBEW Local 702, AFSCME Local 1175, and Laborer's Local 773. I worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 27 years, serving as President of AFSCME Loal 1175 for 7 years. I was part of the negotiating committee on 4 master contracts (3 with AFSCME and 1 with Laborer's). My dedication went to fighting for fair treatment, better conditions, and the rights of working people. As a current retiree member of both AFSCME and Laborer's, I remain proud of my involvement and the progress achieved. I am a husband and a father first, guided by the values of responsibility, hard work, and standing up for what's right. Whether in uniform, on the job, or in my community, I believe in protecting the freedoms we cherish, defending working people, and leading with honor and principle.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Energy bills are hitting our families harder every single month. Seniors on fixed incomes, working parents and small business owners are all feeling the squeeze. We need real solutions that lower costs now and protect us from skyrocketing utility rates in the future. That means expanding access to affordable, renewable energy like solar power. Solar isn't just good for the environment, it's good for our wallets. By investing in local solar projects, encouraging rooftop solar for homeowners, and supporting community solar programs, we can reduce dependence on costly energy sources and stabilize utility bills for the long term. Together, we can turn the lights on to a more affordable tomorrow.Families in our communities are working harder than ever, and they deserve to keep more of what they earn. I believe we need more oversight of our TIF districts and Enterprise Zones with full transparency, regular audits, and clear accountability for where every dollar goes. These funds were meant to strengthen our neighborhoods, not operate without public scrutiny. When we shine a light on TIF District/Enterprise Zone spending and stop the waste, we ease the burden on homeowners and taxpayers. This campaign is about common-sense leadership that puts working families, seniors, and homeowners first. Cut the waste. Increase transparency. Lower property taxes.Creating good paying jobs in our District is one of our top priorities. I am committed to bringing meaningful, lasting employment to the district by focusing on a few key strategies: 1) Continued investment in infrastructure and broadband access. 2) Support local industry from agriculture and a stable power base to renewable energy and manufacturing. I will work to modernize and support industries while encouraging innovation and sustainable growth. 3) Workforce Development: Partnering with unions, local colleges and employers to expand training programs and apprenticeships. 4) Investing in Small Towns and rural communities: I will work tirelessly to see the Port of Cairo is completed and the Tamms Correctional Center is reopened.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about uplifting communities, supporting small businesses and ensuring hardworking families have the resources they need to be successful in life.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am proud to be endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO and Laborer's Local 773.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Navy veteran who is retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections. I have a strong union background, and served as Union President for 7 years. During this time, we negotiated several successful contracts and took strong measures to increase safety protections for both inmates and staff. I am deeply committed to helping the people in my community and giving them a voice in Washington. I believe partisan politics and big money have created barriers to the work Congress should be doing. My history of being able to work with people across the aisle and continue fighting for things in the face of opposition give me just the experience needed to get Congress working for the people again.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The economy is not supporting the working and middle class. We need higher wages and a handle on inflation.Our democracy is under threat. We must protect voting rights, and take swift action against those who threaten the tenets of democracy.Personal freedoms and civil liberties should be protected for every American. All Americans should have to right to privacy, to make their own personal healthcare choices, to live authentically, to form their chosen relationships, and more.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about supporting the lives of hardworking American families. Too much of our public policy focuses on bailing out wealthy corporations or protecting special interests. Our government is supposed to represent and serve the people of this nation, and many of those people are being left to struggle. I am passionate about uplifting communities, supporting small businesses, and ensuring Americans have the resources they need to be successful in life.

Campaign website

Markel's campaign website stated the following:

Voting Rights: Our voting rights must be protected

Protecting our democracy is an essential obligation for all Americans. This country was founded on the belief that all Americans should have the right to vote for their beliefs. Yet, certain states are currently attempting to take away that fundamental right by enacting restrictive voting laws. In 2021, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act failed to pass. We need bills like the J.R.L. voting rights act to protect everyone’s right to vote for what they believe.

Roe v Wade: Roe v Wade must be upheld

Roe v Wade is about much more than a woman’s right to choose; it is also about the right to privacy. In the years before Roe was decided, there were over 1 million illegal abortions performed annually. Roe v Wade did not increase the number of abortions, but it did make them legal, safer, and preserved a woman’s right to privacy.

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, abortions will still happen. What will change, however, is that many women will not have access to safe medical options. Furthermore, women will lose the right to privacy. The Supreme Court is threatening to dissolve a 50-year precedent. What will be the next privacy issue challenged or the next precedent overturned? What other established precedents will be at risk?

I support personal freedoms, personal privacy, and a woman’s right to choose.

CUT UNNECESSARY SPENDING AND BALANCE OUR BUDGETS

Fiscal Responsibility:

The Federal Deficit has exploded over the last couple of decades. Since 2014, our debt to G.D.P. ratio has been 100% or higher. Fiscal responsibility is essential to creating a better, stronger, and more prosperous nation. Congress is “borrowing” money from the Social Security Trust Fund, which weakens the Social Security system. We need legislators who will control spending by requiring funding to be attached to the legislation. If it is not funded, it should not pass.

I will push for any legislation requiring funding to have funding attached to pass.

I will push to balance our budgets. In 2001 America had a surplus of $127 billion, but in 2020 there was a deficit of $3.1 trillion. We must cut unnecessary and excessive spending, such as giving government subsidies to billion-dollar companies. We must close tax loopholes that allow the extremely wealthy to avoid paying their fair share in taxes.

Energy: Invest in renewable, clean energy

We must have a comprehensive energy plan. Since the 1970s, energy has been a critical issue for many Americans, from gas prices to our carbon footprint. We must act and invest in renewable energy, cancel government subsidies for the Big Oil Companies, and work towards a carbon-neutral footprint.

I believe that America can and will thrive once we invest in renewable energy research and incentives programs, such as clean coal research and more.

PROTECT MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND SOCIAL SECURITY, LOWER PHARMACEUTICAL COSTS, AND TAKE CARE OF OUR VETERANS

Health Care:

Social Security

Senator Rick Scott from Florida introduced his “Rescue America” plan. This plan, if passed, would allow federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to expire within five years if Congress fails to pass legislation to renew them. Republican legislators are trying to create ways to end these programs. These are the programs that most senior citizens rely on to survive.

American citizens should not have to struggle with health care. We must protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security by providing appropriate funding.

Pharmaceutical Costs

The Medicare Modernization Act put corporate pharmacy benefit managers in charge of acquiring drugs for the Medicare Part D plan. These for-profit companies cost the American consumer billions of dollars and must be eliminated. Allowing Medicare to negotiate the cost of drugs would help lower out-of-pocket costs, lower premiums for Part D coverage, and more.

Veteran Health

Finally, we must protect veterans through legislation like the Pact Act that improves health care and benefits for those men and women exposed to toxic substances while serving our great nation.[2]

—Homer Markel's campaign website (2022)[3]