State Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) announced Thursday he's retiring at the end of his term.
In his place, Widmer Fabrics CEO Win Stoller will fill the Republican nomination for the district, which stretches from Peoria to Galesburg.
"With Central Illinois at a turning point, everyone must serve where they can cause positive change," Weaver said in a statement. "I believe I can now make the most positive impact closer to home by serving my community in a different position of service."
Chuck Weaver was an applicant to serve as the next Bradley University president after current President Gary Roberts retires later this year.
Weaver's decision to allocate a portion of his member initiative funding from the state's $45 billion capital bill to Bradley raised some eyebrows. Weaver reversed that decision after media reports.
As of December, the candidate pool had narrowed to 20 candidates from an initial total of nearly 100. U.S. District Court Judge Jim Shadid and Kathi Holst are leading the presidential search committee.
Bradley University spokesperson Renee Charles said Thursday that the committee is still interviewing candidates and hasn't yet selected a Roberts successor.
Weaver, 63, previously served on the Peoria City Council for four years before he was appointed to Darin LaHood's 37th State Senate seat following his appointment to the U.S. Congress.
