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 "excerpt": "Dennis Tipsword is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 105th district, elected in 2022 after a 30-year career in law enforcement.",
 "snippet": "Dennis Tipsword is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 105th district, elected in 2022 after a 30-year career in law enforcement.",
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 "markdown": "# Dennis Tipsword\n\nDennis Tipsword is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the [Illinois House of Representatives](https://www.edgepedia.org/illinois-house-of-representatives) from the 105th district.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> He was elected to the House in 2022.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> Before entering the legislature, he spent 30 years in law enforcement and remains an active duty officer.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup>\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> |\n| Current office | Member, Illinois House of Representatives, District 105<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> |\n| Previous offices | Chief Deputy, Woodford County Sheriff's Office<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> |\n| Education | Metamora Township High School; Western Illinois University; University of Illinois Police Training Institute; Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nTipsword is a Republican.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> He was a 14-year member of the Woodford County Republican Central Committee.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup>\n\n## Early life and education\n\nTipsword was born and raised in Woodford County, Illinois, and is a graduate of Metamora Township High School, Western Illinois University, the University of Illinois Police Training Institute, and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> He is a former small business owner and a 15-year volunteer youth sports coach.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> He is a member of the Sons of American Legion.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> He resides in Metamora, is married to Betsy, and has three children and seven grandchildren.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup>\n\n## Career\n\nTipsword served as Chief Deputy of the Woodford County Sheriff's Office and has had a 30-year career in law enforcement, during which he has remained an active duty officer.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from the 105th district in 2022.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup>\n\nIn the 104th General Assembly (2025-2026), he filed legislation to control sub-fentanyl penalties, to designate \"See Tracks? Think Train Week,\" and to name the Trooper Carns Memorial Highway.<sup>[1](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)</sup> In the 104th Regular Session he also co-sponsored HB 5524, the Utility Charge Transparency bill.<sup>[2](https://myreptracker.com/illinois/legislators/il-house-105-dennis-tipsword)</sup>\n\n## Positions and legislative record\n\n### Second Amendment\n\nOn his campaign website, Tipsword writes, \"As a lifelong hunter, shooter and 2A business owner, I will always support and defend our second amendment right to keep and bear arms!\"<sup>[3](https://dennistipsword.com/)</sup>\n\n## References\n\n1. [Dennis Tipsword - Illinois General Assembly](https://www.ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3433)\n2. [Dennis Tipsword - MyRepTracker](https://myreptracker.com/illinois/legislators/il-house-105-dennis-tipsword)\n3. [Dennis Tipsword campaign website](https://dennistipsword.com/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Midwestern state legislators › Surnames S to T*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n",
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 "credit": "\"Dennis Tipsword\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/dennis-tipsword. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.",
 "credit_md": "\"[Dennis Tipsword](https://www.edgepedia.org/dennis-tipsword)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/dennis-tipsword](https://www.edgepedia.org/dennis-tipsword). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).",
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 "speakable": "Dennis Tipsword is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 105th district, elected in 2022 after a 30-year career in law enforcement."
}