Sorensen, Eric

Eric Sorensen is a Democrat representing Illinois's 17th Congressional District, which spans western and central Illinois including the Quad Cities, Moline, Rock Island, and parts of Peoria and Rockford. He was born and raised in Rockford and took office in January 2023 after winning his first election in 2022. Before entering Congress, Sorensen had a 22-year career as a television meteorologist, serving communities across Central and Northwestern Illinois at stations including WREX in Rockford and WQAD in Moline. He is the first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois.

Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Armed Services. On the Agriculture Committee, he holds positions on the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit, and the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. On Armed Services, he serves on the Subcommittees on Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces. His legislative priorities center on supporting Illinois farmers and rural communities, lowering costs for working families, and creating sustainable jobs. He has introduced legislation including the National Weather Safety Board Act, the Autonomy for All Disabled Veterans Act, and the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act.

In his committee work, Sorensen has been a vocal advocate for family farmers facing economic challenges. He has co-introduced bipartisan bills addressing infrastructure, flood mitigation, and manufacturing investment. His focus on agriculture reflects his district's economic dependence on farming, and he has consistently pushed for policies that strengthen crop insurance, improve market access, and support rural communities. His background as a meteorologist informs his work on weather safety and climate-related issues affecting his constituents.