Robert Flider

Bob Flider
Flider in 2012
Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture
In office
February 15, 2012 – January 12, 2015
GovernorPat Quinn
Preceded byThomas F. Jennings
Succeeded byPhil Nelson
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 101st district
In office
January 18, 2003 (2003-01-18) – January 12, 2011 (2011-01-12)
Preceded byJulie Curry
Succeeded byAdam Brown
Mayor of Mount Zion
In office
April 1995 – April 2003
Preceded byHarry Ashworth
Succeeded byDonald R. Robinson
Village Trustee of Mount Zion
In office
April 1991 – April 1995
Personal details
Born (1957-10-22) October 22, 1957
Chicago, Illinois
PartyDemocratic
SpouseJean
Children3
ResidenceMt. Zion, Illinois
Alma materEastern Illinois University (BA)

Robert Frank Flider (born October 22, 1957) is an American politician from Illinois. He served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture under Governor Pat Quinn from 2012 until 2015.[1] A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 101st district in the Illinois House of Representatives, then-covering a section of Central Illinois including Decatur and all or parts of Macon, Moultrie and Shelby counties, from 2003 to 2008, and served as Mayor of Mount Zion, Illinois from 1995 until 2003.[2] He currently serves as the Senior Director of Community and Government Relations for the University of Illinois.[3]

Early life

Robert Frank Flider[4] was born October 22, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Bogan High School in Chicago from 1971 to 1973. His family moved to Mattoon, Illinois in 1973, and he graduated from Mattoon High School in 1975.[2] While attending Matton High School, Flider met his future wife Jean.[5] He then attended the nearby Eastern Illinois University where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.[6] After college, he began work as a newspaper reporter for the Times Courier-Journal Gazette in the Charleston–Mattoon region.[7] After a few years, Flider changed careers and worked as a legislative analyst for the Central Illinois Public Service Company before serving as Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs for Illinois Power for 16 years.[7] He served as Project Manager of Illinois Power's regulatory reform initiative, which led to the Illinois General Assembly's passage of Energy Choice 2000.[1]

Municipal career

In 1991, Flider was elected to the Mount Zion Village Board where he served for one term before being elected the Mayor in 1995, succeeding Harry Ashworth.[2][8] During his two terms as mayor, he developed a community-wide planning initiative called "Mt. Zion 2000," and instituted a comprehensive plan which led to the construction of Goodwin Park, new "quality subdivisions," and new sidewalks, roads, and bike paths.[5] Mayor Flider was also active as a board member for the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, the Downtown Decatur Council, Decatur Rotary Club, United Way of Decatur and Macon County, and the Seniorama Committee.[2]

Simultaneous to his time as mayor, Flider attended the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation in 1997 and earned a Certificate of Business Administration from the University of Illinois in 1999.[9] He was succeeded as mayor by Donald R. Robinson.[10]

Illinois House of Representatives

On January 16, 2003, Democratic incumbent Julie Curry resigned to take a position in the administration of Governor Rod Blagojevich.[6][11] Two days later, the Democratic Representative Committee for the 101 Representative District appointed Flider to the vacancy created by the resignation. Flider was sworn into office the same day.[4] The 101st district to which Flider was appointed was at that time was anchored by the City of Decatur and included all or parts of Macon, Moultrie and Shelby counties in Central Illinois.[12]

In 2004, Flider won election in his own right, defeating radio personality and Republican nominee Scot England of Sullivan, Illinois by a margin of 53% to 46%.[13] He was reelected by a slightly higher margin against Dick Cain in 2006 and ran unopposed in 2008.[14][15][16]

Over the course of his tenure in the Illinois House of Representatives, his committee assignments included Agriculture & Conservation, Elections & Campaign Reform, Elementary & Secondary Education, Environment & Energy, Ethanol Production Oversight, Veterans Affairs, Local Government and Renewable Energy. He served as the Vice Chairman for the latter two committees. He also served as the chairman for two committees; Least Cost Power Procurement and Electric Generation & Commerce.

Some of the legislation that Flider served as the primary sponsor on that became laws include provisions that extended penalties for driving under the influence to persons driving under the influence of methamphetamine,[17] insured members of the public were able to comment at meetings of the Illinois Commerce Commission,[18] prevented gas and utility services from cutting off an individual’s service if the forecast was to be below freezing in an upcoming period.[19]

In 2010, Flider lost re-election by 599 votes to Decatur City Council member Adam Brown.[14][15] Two months after the end of his final term, Flider was employed by Partnership for a Connected Illinois as the Director for Broadband Impact.[1]

Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture

Flider at a Chicago round table with United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel on June 8, 2012

On February 15th, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn named Flider as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture to succeed Thomas F. Jennings.[20] Flider served as acting director until he was confirmed by the Illinois Senate in a 33–16 vote.[21][22] Upon appointment, Flider set three goals for the department: achieve Governor Quinn's goal of doubling Illinois exports by 2014, maximize every opportunity to strengthen rural development in Illinois, and partner with the agriculture community in ongoing efforts to ensure Illinoisans' food is safe.[20]

Flider with U.S. Congressman William Enyart on February 5, 2014

Flider's appointment was met with some media criticism as a result of the end of his tenure in the Illinois State House.[20][23][24] During the 2010 election campaign, Flider had campaigned against an increase in the Illinois income tax that was supported by Governor Quinn. However during the January 2011 lame duck session, after losing reelection, Flider voted in favor of increasing the Illinois income tax rate from 3% to 5%. Flider denied any connection between his change in opinion on the income tax and his appointment over a year later, saying "the governor and I have never had a conversation relative to my vote for a tax increase, he never asked me to vote for a tax increase. I never told him I was going to vote for a tax increase, and he certainly never even brought it up during the discussion that we had about [the directorship of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.”[23][20][24] In contrast, Flider's appointment also received some bipartisan praise from former Illinois State Senator Duane Noland, a Republican, who said to the State Journal Register of Springfield, Illinois "Bob has lived most of his life in the rural area, obviously representing a rural district as a state legislator, so he’s familiar with issues important to farmers... A strength is he will be knowledgeable with government, he’s been in public service for a long time. He knows his way around the Capitol as well as the rural areas, so he should be effective.”[24]

Flider would later receive further praise from Republicans during his tenure, including from former State Representative Jim Sacia, who wrote an opinion piece in defense of Flider in 2014 where he asked the people of Illinois to "put politics behind us and recognize a good leader of agriculture for his competence, not his political affiliation."[25]

Flider left office in January of 2015, following the election of Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and was succeeded by Phil Nelson.[3][26] Shortly after his departure, Flider began working as a lobbyist.[27]

Later career

Flider with U.S. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski in 2023

Beginning on April 23, 2018, Flider served as the inaugural Director of Community and Government Relations for the Office of the Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[28][3] Upon his appointment, University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones said Flider "brings to the job a proven record of building relationships with leaders from a wide array of perspectives" and added that he believed Flider "will be a strong advocate for the campus vision and the mission of our land-grant university."[28] Flider was promoted to Senior Director in 2024.[7]

In 2023, Flider was reported to have donated 1,100 USD to the congressional campaign of U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski, a fellow Democrat.[29]

As of 2024, Flider served on the United Way of Illinois Board of Directors.[30]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Flider was said to be "instrumental" in helping Eastern Illinois University obtain SHEILD testing, a saliva-based COVID-19 test pioneered by the University of Illinois System.[7][31] Thanks in part to this effort, Flider received an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Eastern Illinois University in 2025.[32][33][7]

Electoral history

Illinois House of Representatives

2004
2004 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district Democratic primary[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert "Bob" Flider 7,787 100
2004 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district election[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert "Bob" Flider 23,292 53.06
Republican Scot England 20,606 46.94
2006[a]
2006 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district Democratic primary[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Flider 3,171 100
2006 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district election[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Flider 16,489 54.54
Republican Dick Cain 13,746 45.46
2008
2008 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district Democratic primary[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Flider 12,002 100
2008 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district election[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Flider 37,367 100
2010
2010 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district Democratic primary[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Flider 4,644 100
2010 Illinois House of Representatives 101st district election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Adam M. Brown 15,939 50.96
Democratic Bob Flider 15,340 49.04

Notes

  1. ^ Flider was listed by his nickname, "Bob," on both primary and general election ballots starting in 2006 and continuing for the remainder of his electoral career.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Director Robert F. Flider Biography". Illinois Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  2. ^ a b c d "Representative Robert F. Flider (D) - Previous General Assembly (95th) - 101st District". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  3. ^ a b c "Community and Government Relations » Office of Public Engagement". Office of Public Engagement. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  4. ^ a b Rossi, Anthony (Chief Clerk of the House) (ed.). "Resignations and Appointments" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. 93 (6). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois House of Representatives: 3–5. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Illinois House of Representatives (2011). "HR1552" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b Jones, Dianna (2004-11-30). Miller, David R. (ed.). "LRU First Reading" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly Legislative Research Unit. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  7. ^ a b c d e Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees (November 7, 2024). "Report to the Board of Trustees Meeting, November 7, 2024" (PDF). Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Ryan, George (1993–1994). Illinois blue book, 1993-1994. Illinois: Office of Secretary of State of Illinois. p. 444.
  9. ^ "Illinois Department of Agriculture". www.agr.state.il.us. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  10. ^ White, Jesse (2003–2004). Illinois blue book, 2003-2004. Illinois: Office of Secretary of State of Illinois. p. 449.
  11. ^ Jones, Dianna (2004-11-30). Miller, David R. (ed.). "The revolving door: Moves from the Statehouse floor to the hallways of the Capitol spark questions about whose interest is being served". Illinois Issues. University of Illinois at Springfield. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  12. ^ Veeneman, Drew. "House District 101 Map (Prepared by The Center For Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University)" (PDF). PrecicntMaps.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 3, 2012. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  13. ^ "General Election - 11/2/2004 101st Representative". Illinois State Board of Elections. 2004-11-02. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  14. ^ a b "General Election - 11/2/2010 101st Representative". Illinois State Board of Elections. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  15. ^ a b Jones, Dianna (2004-11-30). Miller, David R. (ed.). "LRU First Reading" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly Legislative Research Unit. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  16. ^ "2006 GENERAL ELECTION: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  17. ^ "Bill Status of HB0736 (98th General Assembly)". Illinois General Assembly. 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  18. ^ "Bill Status of HB0736 (98th General Assembly)". Illinois General Assembly. 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  19. ^ "Bill Status of HB5086 (98th General Assembly)". Illinois General Assembly. 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  20. ^ a b c d "Bob Flider To Head IL Agriculture Department". WAND-TV. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  21. ^ Anderson, Tim (Secretary of the Senate) (ed.). "Vote on Appointment Message No. 0383" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 97 (131). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Senate: 53. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  22. ^ Schoenburg, Bernard (2012-02-15). "Ex-legislator Flider named Dept. of Agriculture director". The State-Journal Registrar. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  23. ^ a b "Quinn names tax hike lawmaker to lead agriculture agency - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17.
  24. ^ a b c SCHOENBURG, BERNARD. "Update: Ex-legislator Flider named Dept. of Agriculture director". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  25. ^ Sacia, Jim. "Flider well qualified for ag post". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  26. ^ Grebner, Meghan. "Nelson named Illinois' Director of Agriculture". Brownfield Ag News. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  27. ^ Erickson, Kurt (2015-03-14). "Former Quinn ag chief becomes lobbyist". Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  28. ^ a b Kaler, Robin (April 19, 2018). "Former state representative, agency leader hired as director of community and government relations" (Press release). University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  29. ^ kacich@news-gazette.com, TOM KACICH (2024-04-21). "Tom Kacich | Miller will likely go unchallenged in 15th District in November". The News-Gazette. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  30. ^ "About Us". United Way of Illinois. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  31. ^ "SHIELD". www.uillinois.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  32. ^ "Eastern Illinois University :: University Advancement - Honorary Degree Recipients". www.eiu.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  33. ^ Cusack, Aidan. "EIU board of trustees approves purchases, allocates project funding". The Daily Eastern News. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  34. ^ "2004 GENERAL PRIMARY: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  35. ^ "2004 GENERAL ELECTION: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  36. ^ "2006 GENERAL PRIMARY: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  37. ^ "2006 GENERAL ELECTION: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  38. ^ "2008 GENERAL PRIMARY: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  39. ^ "2008 GENERAL ELECTION: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  40. ^ "2010 GENERAL PRIMARY: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  41. ^ "2010 GENERAL ELECTION: 101ST REPRESENTATIVE". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 21 January 2026.

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