Eric Sorensen
U.S. Representative from IL, District 17
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Biography
Eric Sorensen represents Illinois's 17th District as a Democrat, former television meteorologist, first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois, serving on Agriculture and Armed Services committees.
Eric Sorensen is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 17th Congressional District, serving his second term since 2023. A Northern Illinois University graduate and veteran television meteorologist with more than two decades of experience in Quad Cities and Rockford markets, he was elected as Illinois's first openly gay member of Congress. In the 119th Congress, Sorensen serves on the House Agriculture Committee (representing Illinois farmers' interests), the Armed Services Committee (Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees), and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. He combines his meteorological expertise with advocacy for weather and climate science, agricultural policy, rural manufacturing development, and LGBTQ equality.