Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen is an American politician and meteorologist currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 17th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held this office since January 2023. Sorensen represents a diverse area that includes significant portions of western and central Illinois, particularly around Moline, Rock Island, and the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, as well as parts of Peoria and Rockford. Notably, he is recognized as the first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois.

Early life and career

Eric Sorensen was born on March 18, 1976, in Rockford, Illinois. He completed his secondary education at Boylan Catholic High School before pursuing higher education at Northern Illinois University, where he studied communications and meteorology. Sorensen's career began in the field of meteorology, where he worked as a meteorologist at KTRE, an ABC affiliate in Lufkin, Texas, from 1999 to 2000. He then transitioned to Tyler, Texas, where he served as the morning meteorologist for East Texas News Daybreak, which aired on both KLTV and KTRE-TV.

In 2003, Sorensen returned to his home state of Illinois, taking on the role of chief meteorologist at WREX, the NBC affiliate in Rockford. He held this position until 2014, after which he became the senior meteorologist for WQAD, the ABC affiliate based in Moline. His work in meteorology was recognized when he became a fellow of the Society for Environmental Journalists in 2018. Sorensen concluded his television career in 2021, subsequently taking a position in communications for UnityPoint Health. His experience in both meteorology and communications laid a foundation for his later political career.

House tenure

Eric Sorensen announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois's 17th congressional district on November 10, 2021, following the decision of incumbent Cheri Bustos not to seek re-election. As a Democratic candidate, Sorensen campaigned for the seat and successfully won the general election held on November 8, 2022, defeating Republican nominee Esther Joy King. His election marked a significant moment in the political landscape of Illinois, as he became only the second Democrat since 1927 to represent a substantial portion of Peoria and the second since the 1850s to represent a significant portion of Rockford.

Sorensen was sworn into office on January 7, 2023, as part of the 118th Congress. During this term, he was appointed to several key committees, including the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. His tenure in the House has been marked by active participation in legislative initiatives and community-focused projects.

In May 2023, Sorensen introduced the Stop Games Act, a piece of legislation aimed at reducing drug costs by enabling the FDA to reject fraudulent citizen petitions that pharmaceutical companies might use to delay the approval of generic drugs. This initiative reflects his commitment to addressing healthcare affordability. Additionally, in July of the same year, he successfully advocated for the inclusion of $4.6 million in funding for six infrastructure projects in Central Illinois. These projects encompassed a range of improvements, including flood mitigation efforts, housing enhancements, and upgrades to water systems.

In October 2023, Sorensen co-introduced the bipartisan Upper Mississippi River Levee Safety Act, which seeks to provide local levee districts with greater flexibility in managing flood protection along the Mississippi River. This legislation underscores his focus on environmental and infrastructure issues that impact his constituents.

As he continued his work in Congress, Sorensen secured $123 million in March 2024 for various infrastructure projects in western Illinois, which included essential repairs to water mains, road improvements, and upgrades to river navigation systems. In April 2024, he co-introduced the bipartisan ONSHORE Act, designed to assist communities in attracting manufacturing investments by establishing a federal grant program to prepare undeveloped sites for strategically important industries.

In 2025, Sorensen was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans in voting for the Laken Riley Act, highlighting his willingness to collaborate across party lines on specific legislative matters.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the House, Eric Sorensen has been involved in various committees that reflect his interests and the needs of his constituents. His committee assignments for the 119th Congress include the Committee on Agriculture, where he serves on the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology, as well as the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit. Additionally, he is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, where he participates in the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.

Beyond his committee work, Sorensen is also active in several caucuses that align with his legislative priorities. He serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. He is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition, the Labor Caucus, the Future Forum, and the Heartland Caucus, all of which focus on various aspects of economic development, labor issues, and regional concerns.

In summary, Eric Sorensen's background as a meteorologist and communicator has informed his approach to public service. His legislative efforts reflect a commitment to addressing healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental issues, while his committee and caucus memberships demonstrate his engagement with a range of policy areas that impact his constituents in Illinois's 17th congressional district. As he continues his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Sorensen remains focused on representing the interests of his district and contributing to national discussions on key issues.