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 earned recognition for her work and leadership. She was named Freshman of the Year by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, earned a 100% pro-small business voting record from National Federation of Independent Business, received the Friend of Agriculture Award from the Illinois Farm Bureau, and was recognized as a Prairie State Policy Champion by Americans for Prosperity–Illinois.
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.
Erica is active in her community and church and has served as a youth group leader at Metro Community Baptist Church for nearly 25 years. She volunteers with local charitable organizations throughout the Metro East and supports Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Compassion International.
A proud Edwardsville High School graduate and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alum, Erica and her husband, Jeff, live in Glen Carbon and have three children along with their two dogs, Penny and Teddy.