Chris Miller

Chairman

Chris Miller lives in Oakland, Illinois, where he was born and raised. After graduating from Oakland High School, he attended Eureka College and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Later, Chris attended Lakeland College and received an Associate’s Degree in agriculture.

Chris is a third generation farmer and raises Angus cattle. Chris and his wife, Mary, have been married for forty-two years. They have seven children and nineteen grandchildren.

Blaine Wilhour

Blaine Wilhour was born and raised in rural Altamont, Illinois on the family farm where they raised hogs. Today they are corn and soybean farmers in Fayette, Effingham and Shelby Counties. Blaine is a graduate of St. Elmo High School.

In 1999, during his junior year in high school, Blaine enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard. He served in the Illinois Guard from 1999-2005 as an Intelligence Analyst. In 2002, he deployed to Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

During his time in the National Guard, Blaine, along with his father and four brothers started a post-frame construction company in Effingham County where today he serves as a managing partner. Blaine is a former member of the Fayette County Board elected in 2006 where he served one term.

Blaine and his wife Amber are active partners on the family farm where they are raising their three sons.

Dan Caulkins

Secretary & Treasurer

Dan was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966.

In 1989, Dan founded a company to build and operate a 16-bed group home for developmentally disabled adults in Sullivan, Illinois. That effort became Patterson House and opened in 1991. For the next 2 years, Dan oversaw the day-to-day operations and continued to seek other opportunities for growth. In 1993, Patterson House successfully negotiated the purchase of 3 additional 16-bed homes.

Starting in 1994 as Chief Operating Officer, Dan was responsible for the day-to-day operations which included the welfare and the oversight of 64 residents, direct supervision of the nursing home administrator, and oversight of 60 plus employees.

In addition to serving on several boards and committees, Dan served on the Decatur City Council from 2005 to 2009 and as a Trustee at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois which ended in December 2018.

Brad Halbrook

Founding Member

Brad Halbrook is a small business owner, farmer and family man. From 2012 until 2015, he served as State Representative in the 110th District. He returned to the General Assembly in January 2017 and is now serving in the 102nd District.

Brad is a fiscal and social conservative. In 2012, he became just the 9th State Legislator to turn down the underfunded and overly generous General Assembly Retirement System pension.  He helped start the trend that now has over 4 dozen current and retired legislators outside the system. Brad has also been a champion of governmental transparency at both the state and local levels.

Brad will continue to advocate for government reforms, reduced taxes, and job creation legislation.

Brad and his wife Linda live in Shelbyville. They have two adult children. They own and operate a small farming operation.

Adam Niemerg

Founding Member

Adam Niemerg is Teutopolis native and resides in rural Dieterich (Bishop Township) with his wife, Trina, and two small children ages 5 and 2 years old. They are members of the St. Isidore Catholic Parish and they attend St. Aloysius church.

He graduated from Teutopolis High School in 2002 and then received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University.

After graduation he began working for COUNTRY Financial. He has been with COUNTRY for 12 years as a Senior Claims Adjuster. This has allowed him to travel extensively through southern Illinois and connect with those who live and work throughout the communities.

The 109th District is the heart of the Illinois farming community. Adam’s grandfather operated a small family farm. He understands the hardships our rural communities endure.

Adam supports small businesses in Illinois. His parents, Phil & Stephanie, started their own small business in the garage of their home in Teutopolis. Growing up, he experiences firsthand the struggles that many small business owners face while turning their dreams into reality all while raising a family.

Jed Davis

Member

Jed is a 5th generation resident of Kendall County. He married his high school sweetheart, Melissa, over 22 years ago and together they have four children with one being adopted from foster care. They currently live in Newark. He graduated from Lisbon Grade School, Newark High School, and ultimately Valparaiso University with a degree in civil engineering.

Jed is a firm believer in local government and the freedom of local boards to direct the institutions they represent without overreach from state agencies or officials. This belief is far from our current reality and it’s time we the people reclaim our communities and schools.

Jed has served as board president of Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville from 2010 to 2023, proudly leading the charge against the out of bounds leadership of Governor Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Jed values family, finances, and freedom. All three are indispensable to his daily life and he’ll defend them with his dying breath.

David Friess

Member

David Friess is a conservative, Christian, and an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, who became the state representative for the 115th district following his election in 2020 and was re-elected in 2022.

David grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River in Chester. He met his wife there, and they both graduated from Chester High School. The couple now raise their two children in Red Bud and attend church in Rockwood. David is a member of the Red Bud VFW and the Randolph County Bar Association. He also has coached his children’s youth sports teams. David has built his life in Southern Illinois and has served his country abroad.