Top Illinois Business Groups Endorse Erica Harriss for Senate

Chamber of Commerce and NFIB support small business owner

(Springfield, IL) Two of Illinois’ leading business organizations, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) political action committee have endorsed Erica Harriss for the Illinois State Senate 56th District.

 “We are proud to endorse Erica Harriss for Senate,” said Illinois Chamber of Commerce Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher. “She is a small business owner and active local leader who acutely understands the needs of Illinois taxpayers and businesses. I grew up in Edwardsville and I’ve followed Erica’s tenure on the Madison County Board closely. She’s exactly the kind of leader the Illinois employer community can count on to work for pro-business policies in the Illinois Senate.”

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce represents over 3,000 Illinois businesses from around the state and endorsements are made by their political action committee board of directors.

In addition, Harriss has also just been awarded the NFIB Illinois PAC’s endorsement for her strong record of reducing taxes and supporting pro-growth policies. 

“Our members support candidates who support small business,” said NFIB State Director Chris Davis. “Erica has shown that she understands the challenges facing Illinois’ job creators. Our members believe Erica will work to create, protect, and maintain an environment where small businesses can thrive and create jobs."

Harriss founded her small business Saving Grace Beauty that creates, manufactures and distributes a hair product that Harriss invented along with additional add-on beauty products in 2014.

“As a small business owner, I understand and have dealt personally with many of the government hurdles that hold entrepreneurs in Illinois back,” Harriss said. “I am running to be a voice for our small business owners and the Illinois workforce because I know if we prioritize improving our business climate we can also improve the futures of all Illinoisans.”  

Prior to founding her company, Erica worked professionally in marketing and human resources for Ozzie Smith, and staffed newsrooms at KSDK-TV in St. Louis, and WLBT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi. From 1999 until 2004 Erica served as the Director of Communications for the National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS). She holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and has represented the 26th District that encompasses Glen Carbon and outlying areas on the Madison County Board since she was first elected in 2016. 

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