Chris Slusser – Madison County Treasurer – Republican

Full Biography

Chris Slusser has served as Madison County Treasurer since December 21, 2016, when he was appointed by the Madison County Board to fill a vacancy. He won the election to a four-year term in November 2018 and was re-elected to another four-year term in 2022. Previously, Chris 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.

As County Treasurer, his office has come in under budget every year, returning money to the general fund. Using his 15 years of investment experience, Chris has 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 has averaged more than $4.4 million in interest income annually and has consistently been ranked as the top performing county portfolio in the state. This additional windfall aides 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. In August 2021, he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund (IMET). He is also member of the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services.

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 is the past President and Treasurer of Riverbend Family Ministries in Wood River, past President of the Board of Directors at RAVEN (Rape & Violence End Now) in St. Louis, past Vice President of Finance for the SIUE Alumni Association, and a former Trustee for the Baptist Foundation of Illinois. Chris previously served as both Chairman (2014-2016) and Treasurer (2008-2012) 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 Chris serves as Assistant Church Treasurer and is on the Church Safety Team. He has also served as a deacon and as an Upward youth basketball coach and referee. Chris and Megan are also supporters of The Restore Network, Refuge, Thrive Metro East and New Shining Light Outreach Ministries.

Chris is a member of the National Rifle Association, the Illinois State Rifle Association, and the Illinois County Treasurers’ Association. In 2011, the Alton Telegraph, together with the Riverbend Growth Association named Chris a “Top 20 Under 40” Community Leader.