Paul Jacobs (politician)

Paul Jacobs is a Republican member of the Illinois House from the 118th district since January 11, 2023. During the middle of his first term, new legislative district maps were approved by the General Assembly and signed into law on September 24, 2021, moving Jacobs' residence to the 118th district. He previously represented the 115th district during the 102nd General Assembly session, from January 11, 2021 until its adjournment on January 10, 2023.

His current district covers the southwest corner of the state, bordering the Mississippi River from Cairo, Illinois up to Grand Tower, Illinois, and spanning eastward to Marion, Illinois. Southern Illinois University's campus in Carbondale, Illinois, the largest city in the district, is a major educational institution in the region.

Jacobs was originally elected, defeating two general election opponents with 77.7% of the total vote, to succeed then-state Representative Terri Bryant for the 115th district after she successfully ran for the Illinois Senate. Jacobs was elected to the 118th district in the 2022 general election with 61.3% of the vote and was re-elected, going unopposed, in November 2024.