Kendall County Times

Illinois state Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) has been honored by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) with the "Guardian of Small Business" award for his work in the Illinois state legislature to protect small businesses. 

Every two years the NFIB scores legislators based on their voting record on issues that have an impact on small businesses, according to a press release on Wheeler's website.

Wheeler, who also serves as Assistant Minority Leader, said he was "excited" to receive the recognition from NFIB, an association that represents 11,000 businesses across Illinois, according to the release.

"Small business owners here in the Fox Valley and all across Illinois are doing incredible work to fortify and grow our economy, which means new opportunities for local residents whose jobs were displaced by the pandemic or looking for a career change, as well as recent graduates just entering the workforce," Wheeler wrote in a post on his Facebook page. "As a state representative and a business owner myself, I feel a special connection with these folks and an obligation to do everything I can to redirect state policies in a way that makes it easier for small businesses to do what they do best - create Illinois jobs for Illinois families."

The press release noted Wheeler had a 100% positive voting record during the 2021 legislative session.

Wheeler represents the 50th House District for the state for Illinois, which includes portions of Kane and Kendall Counties.