[1] In 1970, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives succeeding Democrat James L. Wright of Westmont where he served until 1983.

During his tenure, he won multiple awards from environmental organizations including the League of Conservation Voters and the United States E.P.A.

Governor Dan Walker objected to Choate for personal reasons and supported Gerald A. Bradley of Bloomington.

No candidate, which at various points in time included up to eleven Democrats and the Republican leader James R. Washburn could get the 89 votes required to be elected Speaker.

After an election that took over a week, Republican defectors including future Speaker Lee A. Daniels, voted for Redmond ending the stalemate.