Jim Watson (Illinois politician)

Watson was a member of the United States Marine Corps and United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1985 until 1991 including service in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. Watson earned his B.A. and M.A. in history from Eastern Illinois University and his M.B.A. from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.{{cite web|editor-last=Miller|editor-first=David R.|title=Biographies of New House Members|work=First Reading|publisher=Illinois Legislative Research Unit|volume=16|number=3|accessdate=June 29, 2020|page=13|url=http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lru/December2002FirstReading.pdf}}

He was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives to succeed Deputy Minority Leader Tom Ryder and was sworn into office on December 5, 2001 as the representative from the 97th district.{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Doug|title=Watson will seek another state rep term|date=December 9, 2005|newspaper=Herald-Whig|accessdate=June 29, 2020|url=https://www.whig.com/article/20051209/ARTICLE/312099969}}{{cite web|title=State of Illinois 92nd General Assembly Daily House Journal for Wednesday, January 9, 2002|date=January 9, 2002|publisher=Illinois House of Representatives|accessdate=June 29, 2020|url=http://www.ilga.gov/house/journals/hdailyjrnls92/hjd92079_r.html}} The 97th district, located in southwestern Illinois, included all or parts of Calhoun County, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, and Morgan counties.{{cite book|editor-last=Ryan|editor-first=George|title=Illinois Blue Book 1993-1994|chapter=Legislative Branch|page=61|publisher=Illinois Secretary of State|location=Springfield, Illinois|accessdate=June 29, 2020|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/bb/id/42794}} He was made the minority spokesman on the House Computer Technology Committee and also assigned to serve on the Agriculture, Appropriations—General Services, Revenue, and Transportation & Motor Vehicles Committees in the 92nd General Assembly.

In the 2002 general election, Watson won election to a full term in the reapportioned 97th district which added Pike County to the district.{{cite web|title=2001 District Maps and Boundary Descriptions|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/RepresentativeDistricts2001.aspx?MID=J%2bZBilAs7PI%3d&T=637290549890690866|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|accessdate=June 29, 2020}}

In 2007, Watson re-enlisted in the Marine Corps as a staff sergeant. He was subsequently attached to the 1st Civil Affairs Group at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. In February 2008, he deployed to Fallujah with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force as part of the United States involvement in Iraq. His role in the Unit's Governance Cell, was to work with the local population, including tribal engagement, to build provincial and municipal governments and form functioning democratic governments.{{cite web|last=Stephens|first=Ron|title=House Resolution 889 (95th General Assembly)|date=January 8, 2008|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|location=Springfield, Illinois|accessdate=June 29, 2020|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=51&GA=95&DocTypeId=HR&DocNum=889&GAID=9&LegID=34704&SpecSess=&Session=}} Over the protests of House Republican leadership, Watson chose to retain his seat while overseas making him the first Illinois state legislator to serve overseas since World War II.{{cite news|last=Watson|first=Jim|title=Guest view War and politics: My story with Speaker Michael Madigan|date=January 4, 2019|newspaper=Daily Herald|accessdate=June 29, 2020|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181231/war-and-politics--my-story-with-speaker-madigan}}

Watson resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives to take a position as the Executive Director of the Illinois Petroleum Council, the state affiliate of the American Petroleum Institute.{{cite web|url=https://www.eenews.net/assets/2018/10/25/document_ew_02.pdf|title=Illinois Commerce Commission Initiates Notice of Inquiry to Evaluate Electric Vehicles|date=October 22, 2018|accessdate=June 30, 2020}} Local Republican leaders appointed C. D. Davidsmeyer, a member of the Jacksonville City Council, to succeed him in the 97th district for the remainder of the 97th General Assembly and as the representative from the 100th district for the 98th General Assembly.{{cite news|last=Schoenburg|first=Bernard|title=Newly appointed state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer takes oath of office|newspaper=The State Journal-Register|accessdate=July 29, 2013|url=http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x65614508/Davidsmeyer-takes-oath-of-office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220071714/https://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x65614508/Davidsmeyer-takes-oath-of-office|archive-date=December 20, 2012}} Watson's resignation was effective December 3, 2012.{{cite web|title=HOUSE JOURNAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 162ND LEGISLATIVE DAY PERFUNCTORY SESSION|date=December 21, 2012|publisher=Illinois House of Representatives|location=Springfield, Illinois|accessdate=June 29, 2020|url=http://www.ilga.gov/house/journals/97/2012/HJ097162R.pdf}} As of June 6, 2022, Watson continues to serve as the Executive Director of the Illinois Petroleum Council.{{cite news|title=Average Illinois gas prices nearly a dollar more than Missouri|first=Kevin|last=Bessler|newspaper=The Center Square|publisher=Franklin News Foundation|date=June 6, 2022|url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_808dc7ac-e5db-11ec-ab1e-3f836bf998df.html|access-date=September 26, 2023|quote=Jim Watson, executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Council}}

• Vice-President, Marketing, Wareco Convenience Stores, 1991–2001
• Adjunct Professor, Strategic Management, MacMurray & Blackburn Colleges, Fall 1999
• Social Studies Teacher, Highland High School, 1990
• Graduate Assistant, Eastern Illinois University, 1989–1990
• Social Studies Teacher, Auburn High School, 1988–1989

In the General Assembly, Representative Watson has been a strong advocate for veterans’ rights, serving as the Republican Spokesman for the Veterans Affairs Committee. His other committee assignments include Financial Institutions, Elementary & Secondary Education, Telecommunications, Public Utilities (Republican Spokesperson), Gaming, and State Government Administration. In addition to veterans’ issues, Watson continues to focus on education issues, fiscal responsibility, and growing Illinois’ job market during his time in the General Assembly. Watson is a father of three and resides in Jacksonville. During his tenure, he served on the following committees: Public Utilities, Spokesman; Veteran's Affairs, Spokesman; Elementary & Secondary Education; Gaming; Financial Institutions; and Telecommunications.

{{reflist}}

• [http://ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?MemberID=1240 Illinois General Assembly - Representative Jim Watson (R) 97th District] official IL House website
• [http://ilga.gov/house/RepBills.asp?MemberID=1240 Bills] [http://ilga.gov/house/RepCommittees.asp?MemberID=1240 Committees]
• [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=33460 Project Vote Smart - Representative James R. 'Jim' Watson (IL)] profile
• Follow the Money - Jim Watson
• [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200614&c=417442 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200414&c=396035 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200214&c=25548 2002] campaign contributions
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110630070606/http://news.ilhousegop.org/content/jim-watson-caucus-leader-0 Illinois House Republican Caucus - Jim Watson] profile

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Category:1965 births

Category:Eastern Illinois University alumni

Category:Gies College of Business alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives

Category:Military personnel from Illinois

Category:People from Jerseyville, Illinois

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