Andy Manar

Born and raised in Macoupin County, Andy Manar grew up in Bunker Hill. He went to Bunker Hill Community High School where he learned first hand the importance of strong downstate schools.

Manar credits his strong roots in public service to the late Senator Vince Demuzio who became his mentor at age 18. Manar learned about phenomenal public service through an unpaid internship working for the Senator's district office helping constituents.{{cite web|url=http://www.lc.edu/News_Story/Commencement2014/|title=43rd Annual Commencement to Honor More Than 850 Graduates|publisher=Lewis and Clark Community College|date=2014-05-07|access-date=2015-10-04}}

Manar attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where he was a Golden Apple Scholar studying History to become a certified teacher.{{Cite web | title=senatorandymanar.com - Illinois gambling, casinos & legislation | url=http://senatorandymanar.com/bio | access-date=2025-06-27 | website=senatorandymanar.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.siue.edu/news/2014/07/SenManarTellsEducationScholarsTheyaretheHopeforClassrooms.shtml|title=Sen. Manar Tells Education Scholars They are the Hope for Classrooms|website=www.siue.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-07-25}} Manar still maintains his teaching certification. In 1997, Manar was elected to the Bunker Hill City Council. In 2001, he was elected Mayor. During his tenure he oversaw the construction of an 18-acre city park, the city’s largest sidewalk replacement project, and housing for low income and senior citizens.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebengilpost.com/manar-claims-seat-in-illinois-general-assembly|title=Manar Claims Seat in General Assembly|author=Staff writers|publisher=The BenGil Post|date=2012-11-07|access-date=2015-10-06}}

In 2003, Manar left the Mayor’s post to join the Macoupin County Board as its youngest member. After Don Denby retired, Manar was elected Chairman unanimously by his fellow board members in December 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.macoupincode.com/Minutes/2004/Dec%2004%20Minutes.pdf |title=The Reorganization Meeting of the Macoupin County Board Minutes of Monday December 6, 2004|publisher=Macoupin County Clerk |access-date=2013-01-23}} During his time as Chairman, Macoupin County lost hundreds of jobs and a significant amount of its tax revenue when two of the county’s three active coal mines closed in 2007 and early 2008. Citing a fiscal crisis, Andy began enacting policies to save taxpayer money and run government on less resources. Under Manar, the Board in 2011 voted unanimously to cut their own pay and reduced the size of the Macoupin County Board by one-third, saving taxpayers more than $40,000 annually. The Board also repealed a costly pension plan that had been in place for elected officials. Manar also shut down the county-run economic development office and helped to create a new collaborative public-private partnership run equally by private business and municipal and county government.{{cite web|url=http://www.andyforsenate.com/about/|title=Andy for Senate Official Campaign Bio}} In December 2012, Manar stepped down after four terms as the County Board Chairman, in order to transition to the Illinois Senate being succeeded by Mark Dragovich.{{cite web |url=http://www.macoupincode.com/Minutes/2012/Dec%2012%20Reorganizational%20Minutes.pdf |title=The Reorganization Meeting of the Macoupin County Board Minutes of Monday December 3, 2012|publisher=Macoupin County Clerk |access-date=2013-01-23}}

In September 2011, Manar announced his intention to run for State Senate in the newly-drawn 48th district.{{cite web|url=http://herald-review.com/news/local/article_770d3170-daa4-11e0-a970-001cc4c03286.html|title=Cullerton aide Andy Manar announces bid for 48th District seat|author=Lowe, Kenneth|publisher=Herald & Review|date=2011-09-09|access-date=2015-10-06}} In the general election, Manar faced Republican candidate and the late Mayor of Decatur, Mike McElroy. During the campaign, Manar was endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO, Citizen Action Illinois, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Social Workers and the State Journal-Register.{{cite web|url=http://www.andyforsenate.com/endorsements/|title=Official Campaign Website Endorsement Section}} Andy Manar won the election with approximately 55% of the vote to Mike McElroy’s 45%.{{cite web|url=http://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/democrat-manar-defeats-mcelroy-in-th-district-state-senate-race/article_33dbf3d6-2883-11e2-9502-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Democrat Manar defeats McElroy in 48th District state senate race|author=Lusvardi, Chris|publisher=Herald & Review|date=2012-11-06|access-date=2015-10-06}}

In his first term, Senator Manar was an active legislator, advocating for bills making it easier for college students to vote,{{cite web|url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1548&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=72328|title= Bill Status of SB1548|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}} helping charities by allowing the Public Building Commission to rent to not for profit groups,{{cite web

|url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1896&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=73090|title= Bill Status of SB1896|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}} curbing newborn infections of pertussis,{{cite web|url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1623&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=72475|title= Bill Status of SB1623|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}} rewarding state contracts to businesses that employ Illinois residents,{{cite web |url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1897&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=73091|title= Bill Status of SB1897|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}} working to reduce the discrepancy in funding for downstate school districts in Illinois{{cite web

|url=http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1880&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=73058|title= Bill Status of SB1880|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}} and allowing the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority to create Enterprise Zones to create and keep jobs in Central Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1251&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=71653|title= Bill Status of SB1521|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}}

In 2014, Senator Manar won his first race for re-election, defeating Macon County Board member Linda Little of Decatur.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionResultsStateSenate.aspx?ID=NdaSaq9qDp8=|title=Election Results|website=www.elections.il.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-25}} Despite depressed turnout, Manar increased his margin of victory compared to his first State Senate race in 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionResultsStateSenate.aspx?ID=eV8LQQnu6VE=|title=Election Results|website=www.elections.il.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-25}}

After his resignation, local Democratic leaders selected Springfield Alderwoman Doris Turner to succeed Manar.{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Rich|title=Doris Turner to replace Andy Manar in the Senate|date=February 6, 2021|access-date=February 6, 2021|newspaper=Capitol Fax|url=https://capitolfax.com/2021/02/06/doris-turner-to-replace-andy-manar-in-the-senate/}}

The fall of 2017 brought a monumental policy victory for Downstate Illinois public school students. A four-year effort including Manar's chairmanship of a bipartisan, joint Education Funding Advisory Committee, several bill iterations, and years of town hall meetings across the state, yielded the first overhaul of Illinois' education funding formula since the 1990s.

Amy Ballinger-Cole of Advance Illinois said of the overhaul, “He basically picked a fight that no one else wanted to touch. The face that he got it done in this political environment is nothing short of a miracle.”

Senator Manar’s Spring 2018 legislative victories include the passage of a bill to provide every school in Illinois with high-speed broadband internet,{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-il--high-speed-internet-illinois-20180121-story.html|title=Bill would give rural Illinois schools high-speed internet|agency=Associated Press|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-07-25|language=en-US}} a package of measures to combat the shortage of qualified substitute teachers in Illinois,{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/04/27/illinois-house-passes-new-legislation-to-help-end-teacher-shortage/|title=Illinois House Passes New Legislation To Help End Teacher Shortage|date=2018-04-27|access-date=2018-07-25|language=en}} and a law which would raise the minimum wage of Illinois teachers from $9,000 per year to $32,000 per year.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180624/will-illinois-raise-minimum-salary-for-teachers|title=Will Illinois raise the minimum salary for teachers?|last=Finke|first=Doug|work=The State Journal|access-date=2018-07-25|language=en}} Outside of the General Assembly chambers, Senator Manar has been active in advocating on behalf of the communities of his district. Andy has publicly advocated to hold the Bruce Rauner administration responsible, including commissioning and publicizing a report revealing the financial mismanagement of state warehouse leasing.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vandaliaradio.com/2018/05/17/audit-slams-rauner-administration-over-warehouse-lease/|title=Audit Slams Rauner Administration Over Warehouse Lease|last=Stapleton|first=Todd|work=Vandalia Radio|access-date=2018-07-25|language=en}}

Senator Manar brought together Lewis and Clark Community College and the University of Illinois to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program in Godfrey. The program addresses a critical shortage of nurses for area hospitals and healthcare providers while giving students an affordable path to a college degree. Area students will be able to earn a bachelor's degree from the U of I while attending classes locally at LCCC in Godfrey.

In 2018, Governor-elect J. B. Pritzker appointed Manar to the Educational Success transition committee, which is responsible for state education policy.{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Rich|title=Pritzker transition announces Educational Success Committee|date=November 27, 2018|newspaper=Capitol Fax|access-date=November 27, 2018|url=https://capitolfax.com/2018/11/27/pritzker-transition-announces-educational-success-committee/}} In 2019, Manar along with 39th District Representative Will Guzzardi filed SB667, which would cap insulin costs at $100 a month for diabetic patients in the State of Illinois. Manar said he filed the bill after a teacher in his district talked to him about her struggle to pay for insulin for her diabetic children, and after reading about the State of Colorado's recently passed insulin co-pay cap bill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.csgmidwest.org/policyresearch/1219-insulin-cap.aspx|title=Illinois becomes first Midwest state to cap monthly insurance co-payments for insulin|last=Davis|first=Jon|work=csgmidwest.org|date=2019-12-01|access-date=2021-01-19}} The bill passed the Illinois General Assembly in November 2019 and was signed into law by Governor J. B. Pritzker on January 24, 2020, with the bill taking effect on January 1, 2021.{{Cite web|url=http://senatorandymanar.com/2-uncategorised/682-pritzker-signs-manar-law-capping-insulin-costs-at-100-per-month|title=Pritzker signs Manar law capping insulin costs at $100 per month|work=senatorandymanar.com|date=2020-01-24|access-date=2021-01-19}}

In the 99th General Assembly, Senator Manar was a member of the following committees; Agriculture, Higher Education, Education, Labor, Appropriations I & II, and the Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care. In the 98th General Assembly, Senator Manar served as the sub-chairperson on the Subcommittee on Economic Development as well as on the Agriculture and Conservation, Executive Appointments, Higher Education, State Government & Veterans Affairs and Appropriations I & II committees.{{cite web |url=http://ilga.gov/senate/SenCommittees.asp?MemberID=2029&GA=98|title= Senator Andy Manar (D), 48th District Committee Assignments|publisher=Illinois General Assembly}} He is currently the only downstate Senator to chair an appropriations committee.

Manar was also a legislative appointee to the Agriculture Export Advisory Committee, Coal Development Board, Flue Gas Desulfurization Task Force, Professional Development Panel, and Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.{{cite web|editor-last=Wolff|editor-first=Jonathan P.|title=Expiration and Vacancy Report for the Governor of Illinois|publisher=Illinois Legislative Research Unit|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=December 12, 2018|quote=See pages 14, 49, 128, 288 and 410.|url=http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lru/Gov.pdf}}

Manar began his new position with Governor J. B. Pritzker's administration on January 19, 2021. Manar said his main objective as a senior advisor would be to help Pritzker with downstate economic revitalization, appropriations, and COVID-19 recovery efforts.{{Cite news|url=https://week.com/2021/01/04/manar-to-resign-join-pritzker-administration/|title=Manar to resign, join Pritzker administration|last=Miletech|first=Mike|work=week.com|date=2021-01-04|access-date=2021-01-19|language=en}}

{{Election box begin no change | title = Illinois State Senate 48th District General Election, 2012}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Andy Manar

|votes = 47,231

|percentage = 55.29

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mike McElroy

|votes = 38,183

|percentage = 44.71

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 85,414

| percentage = 100

|swing = }}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title = Illinois State Senate 48th District General Election, 2014}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Andy Manar

|votes = 34,402

|percentage = 55.62

|change = +0.33%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Linda Little

|votes = 27,449

|percentage = 44.71

|change = -0.33%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 61,851

|percentage =

|change = -27.58

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser =

| votes = 61,851

| percentage = 100

|swing = +0.33}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title = Illinois State Senate 48th District General Election, 2018}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Andy Manar

|votes = 42,068

|percentage = 56.8

|change = +1.18%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Seth McMillan

|votes = 32,021

|percentage = 43.2

|change = -1.51%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 74,091

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser =

| votes = 74,091

| percentage = 100

|swing = +1.18}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150929071011/http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=99&MemberID=2217 Senator Andy Manar (D) 48th District] at the 99th Illinois General Assembly
• By session: , [https://web.archive.org/web/20130909002450/http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=98&MemberID=2029 98th]
• [http://senatorandymanar.com/ State Senator Andy Manar] constituency site
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=83324 | fec= | congress= }}

{{Illinois State Senators}}

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Category:People from Macoupin County, Illinois

Category:Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumni

Category:Democratic Party Illinois state senators

Category:Illinois city council members

Category:Mayors of places in Illinois

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:County board members in Illinois

Category:21st-century members of the Illinois General Assembly