Terri Bryant is a Republican state senator representing Illinois' 58th Senate District, which includes all or parts of Edwards, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, and White counties. Born on March 31, 1963, she was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2014, served until 2020, and was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2020, where she currently serves as Assistant Republican Leader since 2023. Notable achievements include her 20-year career at the Illinois Department of Corrections , rising to Public Service Administrator at Pinckneyville Correctional Center and DuQuoin Impact Incarceration Program, and leadership roles such as Chair of Women’s Coalitions and Coordinator of Coalitions for the Illinois GOP. She also owns the Bluebell Restaurant in Murphysboro and has farming experience.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from the Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series in 2009; appointed to its Board of Governors in 2010 and elected President in 2011.
• Political Experience: Began public service in 1994 at IDOC, retiring in 2014; served as Precinct Committee Woman, Vice-President of Jackson County Republican Women’s Club, and Second Vice-Chair of Jackson County Republican Central Committee; delegate to Illinois Republican Conventions in 2008 and 2012 ; House , Senate ; serves on Senate Committee on Agriculture.