Pamela Althoff

Pamela J. Althoff (born November 22, 1953) is a Republican politician from Illinois. She has held several elected positions, including serving in the Illinois Senate, representing the 32nd District from her appointment in March 2003 through September 2018.

Pamela Althoff
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 32nd district
In office March 7, 2003 – September 30, 2018
Preceded by	Richard O. Klemm
Succeeded by	Craig Wilcox
Illinois Senate Republican Caucus Chair
In office 2013–2018
Preceded by	Matt Murphy
Personal details
Born	(1953-11-22) November 22, 1953 (age 71) McHenry, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Residence(s)	McHenry, Illinois
Alma mater	Illinois State University Northeastern Illinois University

Early life, education and career

Althoff was born in Chicago.^{[citation needed]} She earned a bachelor's degree in education at Illinois State University in 1975 and a master's degree in education at Northeastern Illinois University in 1978. She was the city clerk of the City of McHenry, Illinois from 1994 to 2001 and was the mayor of McHenry from 2001 to 2003.^[1]

Illinois Senate

Richard O. Klemm resigned from the Illinois Senate effective February 9, 2003. The Republican Legislative Committee of the 32nd Legislative District appointed Althoff to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the 93rd General Assembly. She was sworn into office on March 7, 2003.^[2] Althoff was elected to the position in the 2004 general election.^[1]

Althoff served on the Committees on Appropriations II, (minority spokesperson); Local Government, Appropriations I; Transportation; Domestic Violence Task Force; Local Government Task Force; Violent Crime Advisory Commission as well as deficit reduction, Labor, and Higher Education committees.

In 2017, she announced she would not run again for re-election in 2018.^[3] She resigned early from the Illinois Senate on September 30, 2018,^[4][5] and was replaced by the Republican nominee for the seat, Craig Wilcox.^[6]

Later career

In 2017, Althoff announced she would run for the McHenry County Board.^[3] After her retirement from the Senate, she registered as a lobbyist.^[7] As of 2022, Althoff is the executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, a trade association for the legal cannabis industry in Illinois.^[8]