Fowler to leave Illinois senate after current term

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) – Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler announced Friday he won’t seek re-election, fulfilling a promise he made when first elected to the 59th District in 2016.

Fowler, who has served since 2017, had pledged to serve no more than 10 years in office. “Today, I am honoring that pledge,” he said.

The senator thanked Southern Illinois residents for the opportunity to represent them and plans to continue serving the region through other endeavors. Fowler will focus on his 24-year-old foundation, the Fowler Bonan Foundation Clothes for Kids, which provides new wardrobes for underprivileged children starting the school year.

He also aims to expand the foundation’s Heaven’s Kitchen Food Pantry, addressing food insecurity in Southern Illinois. Fowler’s current term will be his last in the Illinois Senate.