Biography
Chapin Rose is the Assistant Minority Leader of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus. He was raised in Central Illinois alongside his wife, Camille. He attended Charleston High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with an emphasis in Economics, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2000.
Before entering the legislature, Rose served as an Assistant State’s Attorney and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney in Champaign County, where he prosecuted felony cases and worked in the traffic and child support divisions. He also served as an adjunct faculty member in Eastern Illinois University’s Department of Political Science.
Rose served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013 before being elected to the Illinois Senate, where he represents the 51st District. He serves as the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee and has been involved in legislative efforts supporting agriculture, small businesses, economic development and job creation.
Rose was selected for the inaugural class of the Edgar Fellows Leadership Program in 2012. Throughout his legislative career, he has received recognition from the Illinois Farm Bureau, business organizations and other groups for his work in Springfield.
Rose and his wife, Camille, live in Mahomet and have four children.
EXPERIENCE
State Senator, State of Illinois
51st District | January 2013–Present
Assistant Minority Leader (2026-Present)
Committee Assignments
- Appropriations Committee — Ranking Republican
- Appropriations — Education Committee
- Education Committee
- Financial Institutions Committee
- Insurance Committee
- Audit Commission — Co-Chair
State Representative, State of Illinois
110th District | January 2003–January 2013
AWARDS AND HONORS
- Friend of Agriculture Award, Illinois Farm Bureau Activator (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026)
- Prairie State Policy Champion, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Illinois (2025)
- Certificate of Recognition for Support of I/DD and Behavioral Health Services in Illinois, Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) (2024, 2025)
- Champion of Free Enterprise Award, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2021–2022, 2023–2024)
- Legislator of the Year, Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) (2023)
- Champion of Free Enterprise Award, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2018)
- Friend of Agriculture Award, Illinois Farm Bureau (2014, 2016, 2018)
- John W. Maitland Jr. Biotechnology Leadership Award, Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO) (2017)
- Illinois Electric Cooperatives Public Service Award (2017)
- Township Officials of Illinois “Good Friend” Award (2017)
- Conservative Achievement Award, American Conservative Union (2016)
- Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) (2014, 2016)
- Friend of Agriculture Ag-Solve / IFCA (2015)
- Legislative Hero Award, YMCA (2015)
- Jim Guilinger Legislative Award, Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (2013)
- Edgar Fellows Leadership Program, Inaugural Class (2012)
- Friend and Advocate Award, Illinois Education Association Region 9 (2012)
- Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) (2011–2012)
- Legislator of the Year Award, Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (2011)
- Outstanding Legislator Award, Illinois Bankers Association (2009)
- Friend of Conservation Award, Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (2009)
- Champion of Free Enterprise Award, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2007–2008)
- Legislator of the Year, Illinois Council on Long Term Care / Illinois Health Care Association (2007)
- Friends of Fairness Award, Illinois Civil Justice League (2007)
- Legislator of the Year, Illinois Health Care Association (2006, 2007)
- Legislator of the Year, Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts (2006)
- Lincolnland Legends Award, Illinois Dollars for Scholars (2006)
- Certificate of Recognition for Methamphetamine Awareness in Central Illinois, Douglas County Regional Prevention Group (2006)
- Illinois Legislative Award, Illinois Reading Council (2005–2006)
- Ten Outstanding Young Persons, Illinois Jaycees (2005)
- Legislative Leadership Award, Illinois Alcoholism & Drug Dependence Association (2005)
- University of Illinois Fire Service Institute, Legislator’s Fire Academy (2003)
- Bowhay Fellowship Award, Midwestern Legislative Conference (2003)
- Freshman Legislator of the Year, Illinois Health Care Association
- Legislator of the Year, Illinois Drug Education Alliance (IDEA)
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
- Assistant Minority Leader
- Co-Chair, IL Audit Commission
- Ranking Republican, Senate Appropriations Committee
- Chairman, Legislative Ethics Commission, 2010–2012
- Member, House Redistricting Committee, 2010–2011
- Co-Chair, House Republican Methamphetamine Task Force
- Member, House Republican Rural Economic Development Task Force
- Member, Special Investigative Committee Regarding the Impeachment of Rod Blagojevich
- Past By-Laws Committee Chair, Legislative Fire Caucus
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Faculty
Eastern Illinois University, Department of Political Science | Fall 2004
Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, Urbana, Illinois
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney | December 2001–January 2003
- Felony caseload
Assistant State’s Attorney | November 2000–December 2001
- Child Support Enforcement Alliance, October–December 2001
- Traffic Division, November 2000–October 2001
- DUI prosecution and trial experience
EDUCATION
University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois
Juris Doctor, May 2000
- Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity
- Client Counseling Competition Winner
- President, Irish Law Students Association
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Political Science with a concentration in Economics, August 1997
- Senior 100, recognizing the university’s top 100 graduating seniors for academics and campus and community involvement
- Student Trustee, 1994–1995 academic years
- Phi Delta Theta Social Fraternity
- Golden Key National Honor Society
- Governmental Affairs Committee Member
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Attends Grace Church, Mahomet, Illinois
- Past Member, Illinois Prosecutor’s Bar Association
- Life Member, University of Illinois Alumni Association
- University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Recent Graduate Award, 2003