By Will Stevenson/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate’s newest member has taken his place on the floor.

Chuck Weaver of Peoria is the newest state senator, replacing Darin LaHood, who won a special election for Aaron Schock’s old seat in Congress.  Weaver said neither he nor his wife believed he would be picked by a committee of Republicans in the 37th District.

“My wife…she and I and my son were sitting in our living room waiting for the response, and when I got up, my head just dropped,” Weaver said.  “She didn’t know if that meant no or yes.  But, I guess there was some surprise.”

Weaver, who’s diving right in the middle of the current budget impasse, said who knows how long that will last.

“There are so many people who know more about this process than I do,” says Weaver.  “I support the Governor in what he’s trying to accomplish.  We’re here to support him in that regard, and to see long-term change in our state so we can get more people working.”

Weaver said he hopes his time on the Peoria City Council, plus his experience in business and spending his life on the family farm, will help him address what he said his district wants addressed.