Carbondale Reporter

State Representative Paul Jacobs has announced his committee assignments for the 104th General Assembly of the Illinois House. Representing the 118th district, Jacobs will participate in several committees, including Appropriations Higher Education, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & IT, Ethics & Elections, Health Care Licenses, Prescription Drug Affordability, and Veteran’s Affairs. Additionally, he will serve as the minority spokesperson on the House Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Committee.

Jacobs expressed enthusiasm about his new roles: “My committee assignments cover a wide variety of topics, and I’m looking forward to getting going in this new General Assembly,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of ethics reform to combat public corruption in Illinois. "I plan to be a strong voice for corruption and ethics reforms as a member of the Ethics & Elections Committee," Jacobs added.

With over 45 years of experience as an optometrist, Jacobs highlighted issues related to health care licensing in Illinois. “I’m happy to be back on the House Health Care Licenses Committee,” he said. He noted that while progress has been made with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, more work is needed to address healthcare workforce shortages.

As the ranking member on the House Museum, Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Committee, Jacobs aims to promote tourism in Southern Illinois. “Serving as the ranking member on this committee will help me bring a greater voice for tourism to the capitol for Southern Illinois interests,” he remarked.

Jacobs is currently serving his third term as State Representative. His office can be contacted at 600 N. Halfway Road in Marion or by phone at (618) 559-7018 or email at Jacobs@ILHouseGOP.org.