Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) was born and raised in Woodford County, IL where he attended Metamora High School. Representative Tipsword is a citizen legislator with nearly a 30 year public service career in law enforcement, serving for 16 years with the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office and the past eight years as its Chief Deputy.
As a former small business owner in the construction and parking lot maintenance industry for 17 years and as a seasonal restaurant owner with his wife Betsy for more than five years, Representative Tipsword understands first-hand the challenges Illinois small business owners face every day.
Attending Western Illinois University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration, Representative Tipsword also graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
Representative Tipsword is a 12 year member of the Woodford County Republican Central Committee, a 15 year volunteer youth sports coach and a longstanding member of the Sons of the American Legion, Spring Bay Post where he volunteers to strengthen the four pillars of the American Legion by placing special emphasis on preserving American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nations children, caring for veterans and their families, and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
Dennis and Betsy, his wife of almost 30 years reside in Metamora, IL along with their growing family of three children and three grandchildren.
Representative Tipsword was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022.
