Chris Kessler Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As Manager of Governmental Affairs, I cultivate relationships with elected officials and agency leaders at all levels of government and provide the expertise necessary to carry out legislative and grassroots advocacy strategies that advance the mission of the organization. In addition to acting as a legislative liaison, I manage specific policy initiatives and respond to requests for assistance with policy issues that are in line with the organization’s agenda.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As Senior Legislative Coordinator I led, mentored, and provided guidance to a team of legislative coordinators and ensured that legislators’ policy agendas, outreach, and other activities were successfully executed. My other responsibilities included staffing legislative committees and members of the Illinois House Democratic Caucus leadership team, working on the House floor, advising legislators on policy positions and outreach opportunities, and conducting roll calls to engage legislators on caucus agenda items.

Springfield, Illinois, United States

As Digital Director and Social Media Coordinator, I built and managed the Illinois House Democratic Caucus' first-ever digital outreach program, which included managing our official social media pages and website, which organically attracted over 10,000 followers. I led a collaborative digital media team in the areas of videography, graphic design, copywriting, and content curation as we created engaging digital content for use on the Illinois House Democratic Caucus' and legislators’ official social media pages. On a regular basis, I would engage with Illinois House Democratic Caucus members and their staff to set up and verify social media pages, share best practices, troubleshoot problems, generate content, conduct live video streams, and develop digital outreach plans. This was all in addition to continuing to execute many of the responsibilities I fulfilled as a Program Specialist.

Springfield, Illinois, United States

See Digital Director description.

Springfield, Illinois, United States

As a Program Specialist, I was responsible for distilling complex policy issues into easy-to understand messages for use in communications materials. This was a writing-intensive position where I would craft compelling narratives to help legislators connect with diverse constituencies. This included drafting and editing copy for newsletters, press releases, speeches, talking points, letters to the editor, and other outreach materials focused on helping legislators build their brands, advance their policy agendas, and strengthen relationships with constituents. Additionally, I staffed numerous legislative committees, developing a strong understanding of various public policy issues and the legislative process as a whole.

Springfield, Illinois

Seasonally, I worked as a political communications consultant for the campaigns of candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives. My responsibilities varied depending on the year, as well as on the stage of the election cycle, but primarily included opposition research; developing creative and attention-grabbing direct mail concepts to support and oppose candidates in targeted races; and leading and training volunteers for nominating petition circulation, petition signature verification, phone banking, canvassing, and other grassroots campaign-related activities.Projects:-Managed production of nearly 1,000 unique direct mail pieces between designers, consultants, staff, and candidates, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and effectiveness during the 2020 election cycle with a total budget of over $7,000,000.-Developed persuasive and attention-grabbing direct mail concepts which contributed to building and maintaining a Democratic supermajority in the Illinois House of Representatives across multiple election cycles.-Built detailed opposition research profiles on candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives, identifying issues to be used in polling, direct mail, digital ads, paid media, and other campaign-related messaging.-Managed the winning political campaigns of candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives in competitive districts.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science

Minor, Global Labor Studies