Hometown: Alton, Illinois

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Political Science

Graduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois Springfield, Political Science

Bio: Dillon wears many different hats by working in state government and serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for over 11 years. Dillon is the Deputy Director of Policy and Budget for the Illinois Senate President. In this role, Dillon oversees a team of twenty and advises the majority of caucus members on a wide range of policy and budgetary matters. Formerly, he served as the lead staffer for the Senate Veterans Affairs, Public Health, and Education Committees. Dillon began his Army career by attending the John F. Kennedy U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School to become a psychological operations specialist trained in methods of population influence and engagement. After nine years in psyop, Dillon became a drill sergeant, where he trains other non-commissioned officers to become drill sergeants and serves at basic training sites across the U.S., turning civilians into soldiers.

Dillon serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the SIUE alumni association and was formerly the treasurer for a local not-for-profit that provides transitional housing, counseling, and veterans’ homeless prevention. Dillon and his husband Blake reside in Springfield.

Relevant Professional Experience: Deputy Director of Policy and Budget- Office of the Illinois Senate President, Psychological Operations Sergeant and Drill Sergeant- U.S. Army

Research Interests:  Policy evaluation and refinement, public policy in the digital age, education policy, educational pipeline outcomes, postsecondary education and the labor market

Professional Affiliations: National Association of Legislative Fiscal Officers, National Conference of State Legislature- Legislative Education Staff Network

Volunteer Activities: Board of Directors- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Alumni Association