Erica Harriss is a Metro East native, small business owner, and community leader serving Illinois’ 56th Senate District since 2023. Born in Highland and raised in the Metro East, Erica brings real-world business experience and a lifelong commitment to the community to her work in Springfield.
Since being elected to the Illinois Senate, Erica has focused on lowering costs for families, protecting Metro East jobs, strengthening protections for children, and making healthcare more affordable. She has fought against higher taxes and fees, supported eliminating taxes on groceries and prescription drugs, championed workforce and vocational opportunities, and advanced legislation aimed at protecting children and victims.
Erica has also earned recognition for her work and leadership. She was named Freshman of the Year by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and earned a 100% pro-small business voting record from the National Federation of Independent Business.
Erica serves as the Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Local Government Committee and also serves on the Energy and Public Utilities, Licensed Activities, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs Committees.
Before serving in the Senate, Erica spent six years on the Madison County Board, where she focused on government accountability, responsible spending, and protecting taxpayers.
In addition to public service, Erica is also a small business owner. She founded her company in 2014 and continues to manage the business from her home office in Glen Carbon. Prior to starting her business, Erica worked in marketing and human resources for Ozzie Smith, served on the staff of KSDK-TV in St. Louis and WLBT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, and later worked as Director of Communications for the National Children’s Cancer Society.
A proud Edwardsville High School graduate and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alum, Erica and her husband, Jeff, live in Glen Carbon, where they have three children and two dogs, Penny and Teddy.