The following is a list of notable people associated with Western Illinois University, located in the American city of Macomb, Illinois.
Notable alumni
Politicians and government officials
Federal government
Darwin Gale Schisler, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 19th congressional district from 1965 to 1967. He earned his B.A. at Western Illinois University Vincent R. Stewart, LtGen US Marine Corps and 20th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Tim Walberg, Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Michigan's 7th congressional district since 2011. He attended Western Illinois University, but earned his B.A. at Taylor University Harlan Watson, Special Envoy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
State legislators
Tod Bowman, Democratic member of the Iowa Senate for District 29. He earned his M.Ed. at the university Rich Brauer, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 87th district (2003–2015). He attended Western, but did not graduate Kathie Conway, Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 104th district since 2011. She graduated with a B.S. in Law Enforcement Administration Kirk Dillard, Republican member of the Illinois Senate (1994–2014) and gubernatorial candidate in 2010 and 2014 Randy Frese, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 94th district (2015–present). He earned B.S. in agriculture from Western Regis Groff, Democratic member of the Colorado Senate from the 33rd district (1974–1994). He was the second African-American elected to the Colorado Senate Norine Hammond, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2010–present). Her district, the 93rd, includes the university's Macomb campus Joe Hutter, Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. He earned his B.A. from Western Kimberly Lightford, Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois Senate. She has represented the 4th district since 1998. She earned a B.A. in communications at Western Mona Martin, Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives for the 43rd district (1993-2001). She earned her B.S. from Western Jerry L. Mitchell, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1995–2012). He represented the 90th district and earned his Ed.S. at Western Illinois University John Millner, Republican member of the Illinois Senate representing the 28th district (2005–2013). Earned his master's degree in criminal justice administration at the university Richard P. Myers, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1995–2010. He earned his B.S. at the university Cynthia Nava, Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate from 1992 to 2012 Timothy H. Osmond, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 61st district (1999–2002) James O'Toole, Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002. He attended Western Illinois University, but graduated from University of Missouri at St. Louis Todd Sieben Republican member of the Illinois Senate (1993–2008). He earned his B.S. in business administration at Western Mike Smiddy, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 71st district (2013–present). He attended Western Illinois University Litesa Wallace, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 67th district (2014–present). She earned her B.A. and M.Ed. from Western Frank B. Wood, Democratic member of the Iowa Senate from the 42nd district
Local officeholders
Matthew Shirk, Public Defender of Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit Court (2008–16). He earned his B.S. at the university in 1997
Activists
Mary Matalin, Republican political strategist who worked on the campaigns of Dave O'Neal, George H. W. Bush and served as chief of staff to Lee Atwater Erin Merryn, activist behind Erin’s Law, a law requiring kids be taught personal body safety education, which has been passed in 37 states Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. She is a human rights advocate who has worked for the Anti-Defamation League. She earned her M.S. at Western C. T. Vivian, leader in the Civil Rights Movement who participated in the Freedom Rides
International figures
Ahmet Kenan Tanrıkulu – Turkish politician
Camilo Osías Filipino politician
Business
Robert Nardelli – former chairman and chief executive officer of Chrysler, former president and CEO of Home Depot Jeremy Schoemaker – internet entrepreneur