Homer “Chip” Markel served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1982. He then began a 26.5-year career in the Illinois Department of Corrections, where he retired as a Major in 2012. During his career with IDOC, Markel was active in both AFSCME and ISEA/Laborers unions. Markel supports voting rights, a woman’s right to choose, investment in clean, renewable energy, and the protection of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.