In January 2020, former State Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls (D-Kansas City) was confirmed by the Missouri Senate to serve on the Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission (LIRC). Curls’ appointment by Governor Michael L. Parson made her the first African American and fifth woman to serve as LIRC Commissioner.
The LIRC’s primary constitutional duty is to oversee the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) in appeals of workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and tort victims’ claims as well as prevailing wage objections.
As Senator, Curls represented the 9th Senatorial District in Jackson County. After serving in the Missouri House since 2007, she won a special election to the Missouri Senate in February 2011. Curls won re-election in 2012 and again in 2016.
While in the Missouri Senate, Curls served in multiple leadership roles, including the position of Assistant Minority Floor Leader. During her tenure, Senator Curls has worked tirelessly on issues regarding access to quality healthcare, decent and affordable housing, quality education and economic development.
Senator Curls received her education from St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Senator Curls is the proud mother of twins, James and Michaela.