Speaker

Tim Butler

Tim Butler joined the Illinois Railroad Association as President in January of 2023, bringing to the Association over three decades of public service working for the people of Illinois.

Immediately prior to joining the association, Butler served as an Illinois State Representative for four terms (2105-2022), representing largely the same district Abraham Lincoln represented for four terms. Butler’s focus was on issues surrounding transportation, infrastructure, environment, and energy. He was an Assistant Republican Leader and served as the top Republican on several committees, including the Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee and Appropriations: Capital Committee.

Before the Legislature, Tim had 20 years of experience working for the U.S. House of Representatives on the staff of Reps. Rodney Davis, Ray LaHood, Harris Fawell, and the Education and Labor Committee. During that time he held various roles including District Chief of Staff, Campaign Manager, and Communications Director.

In the private sector, Butler also served for over three years as the Director of Marketing for St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

A 1990 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, Butler has lived in Springfield since 1998 with his wife Wendy.