Eastern graduate Illinois Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) has been appointed the minority spokesperson of the Senate Republican Caucus on Health and Human Service Issues.

Prior to his 2003 Illinois Senate appointment, Righter served five years on the Illinois House of Representatives.

While serving on the Illinois General Assembly, he pushed legislative initiatives on economic development, school funding, health care, government accountability and more.

As Health and Human Services Spokesperson for the Republican Party in primarily democratic Illinois, Righter cannot be certain what legislature the majority party will decide.

“I plan on continuing to fight, to battle, to provide reasonable health care and health care insurance to Illinois citizens,” he said.

State Senator Frank Watson appointed Righter as the Illinois Health and Human Services Spokesperson.

“He was well aware I had an interest in the position,” Righter said.

While there is no outline of criteria, Righter felt his experience in the health and human service area and his willingness to speak out if there is any piece of legislature Illinois needs.

“Usually people are appointed on a seniority basis, but I am the new guy on Senate so I took this as a compliment,” Righter said.

Righter has dedicated strong efforts toward resolving Illinois Medicaid reimbursement program deficiencies.

“The state does a terrible job with the rate it reimburses health care providers,” Righter said.

Righter was also the chief sponsor of the law expanding newborn infant screening. Before this group’s efforts, Illinois’ screenings only identified six of the current 30 to 40 genetic defects.

“In the long run early detection could save a lot of lives and a lot of grief,” Righter said.

Righter is a Mattoon native who attended Eastern after he graduated from Mattoon High School. He received an Eastern accounting degree in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the Saint Louis University School of Law in 1991.

Currently, Righter is Of Counsel with a small Charleston law firm and a part-time college instructor. He is a Mattoon precinct committeeman and a member of the Republican Century Gold Club.

He is involved with Mattoon’s Exchange Club, CHOICE, YMCA and Peer Court Program. Righter also is a member of the Charleston Elk’s Club, Broadway Christian Church and Ducks Unlimited.