Chris Slusser ★ Madison County Board Chairman ★ Republican
Full Biography
Chris Slusser has served as Madison County Board Chairman since his election in 2024. Previously he served as Madison County Treasurer from 2016 to 2024. Chris also served on the Madison County Board, representing District 15, from 2008 to 2012, and was again elected to the seat in 2016, just prior to his appointment as Treasurer.
His primary focus as County Chairman is economic development in Madison County, as well as advocating for property tax reform at the state level. He serves on the board of directors for East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois and the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission.
As County Treasurer, his office came in under budget every year, returning money to the general fund. Using his 15 years of investment experience, Chris overhauled the previously under-performing county investment portfolio. Previously, the portfolio had been earning just under $750,000 annually in interest income. Under Mr. Slusser’s leadership, the portfolio averaged more than $4.4 million in interest income annually and was consistently ranked as the top performing county portfolio in the state. The additional windfall aided the county board in funding the budget without raising property taxes.
Mr. Slusser is a graduate of Roxana High School, Lewis & Clark Community College, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Prior to becoming Treasurer, he served as a police officer at SIUE from 1999-2002, as an investment advisor from 2002-2011, as Chief Financial Officer for ROI Realty Partners from 2011-2013, and then as Vice President of RLP Development Company in Edwardsville from 2013 until his appointment as Treasurer.
Mr. Slusser has been active in his community in various capacities for most of his adult life. He has served on numerous boards, including the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund (IMET), Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services, Riverbend Family Ministries, the SIUE Alumni Association, RAVEN (Rape & Violence End Now), and the Baptist Foundation of Illinois.
Chris served as Chairman of the former Wood River Township Hospital Board from 2013-2014, where he oversaw the return of more than $8.5 million in refunds to taxpayers in Wood River Township after legislation he co-authored was finally passed to dissolve the former taxing district.
Chris previously served as both Chairman and Treasurer of the Madison County Republican Party. He now serves on the Executive Committee for the party.
Chris is married to Megan, and they reside in Wood River with their two daughters, Annabelle & Zoë. They attend First Baptist Church in Bethalto, where they have been members for more than 20 years. Chris and Megan are also supporters of The Restore Network, Refuge, Riverbend Family Ministries, Thrive Metro East, International Missionaries for Christ and New Shining Light Outreach Ministries.
Chris is a member of the National Rifle Association, the Illinois State Rifle Association. He spends his free time working out, hiking with his family, reading, coaching his daughters’ sports teams and taking mission trips with his church to East Africa.