Glenn Poshard

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Glenn Poshard

|image = GlennPoshardbio.jpg

|office = President of Southern Illinois University

|term_start = January 1, 2006

|term_end = May 1, 2014

|predecessor = James Walker

|successor = Randy Dunn

|state1 = Illinois

|term_start1 = January 3, 1989

|term_end1 = January 3, 1999

|predecessor1 = Kenneth Gray

|successor1 = David Phelps

|constituency1 = {{ushr|IL|22|C}} (1989–1993)
{{ushr|IL|19|C}} (1993–1999)

|state_senate2 = Illinois

|district2 = 59th

|term_start2 = August 27, 1984

|term_end2 = January 3, 1989

|predecessor2 = Gene Johns

|successor2 = Jim Rea

|birth_name = Glendal William Poshard

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|10|30}}

|birth_place = Herald, Illinois, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Democratic

|spouse = Jo

|children = 2

|education = Southern Illinois University (BS, MS, PhD)

|allegiance = {{flag|United States}}

|branch = {{flag|United States Army}}

|serviceyears = 1962–1965

|unit = 1st Cavalry Division

}}

Glendal William Poshard (born October 30, 1945) is an American educator and former politician who served as an Illinois State Senator and U.S. Congressman, serving five terms in Congress from 1989 to 1999.

He was also an Illinois gubernatorial candidate, and president of the Southern Illinois University system.

Early life and career

Poshard was born October 30, 1945, in Herald, Illinois. He served in South Korea with the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States Army. Poshard is a three-degree graduate of Southern Illinois University. He received a bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1970, a master's degree in educational administration in 1974 and a Ph.D. in administration of higher education in 1984.{{cite book|editor-last=Edgar|editor-first=Jim|title=Illinois Blue Book 1989-1990|page=43|chapter=Congress|publisher=Illinois Secretary of State|location=Springfield, Illinois|asin=B00NWC46U8|access-date=July 31, 2021|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/41065|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801041229/http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/41065|url-status=live}} After graduating from college, he taught high school, coached high school sports, and served as director of the Southern Illinois Educational Service Center in Benton, Illinois from 1975 to 1984.{{cite news|last=Landis|first=Tim|title=Poshard poised for Senate bid|date=August 21, 1984|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|access-date=July 31, 2021|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/83517641/|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801041228/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/83517641/|url-status=live}}

= State Senate =

In the 1982 Democratic primary, Poshard challenged incumbent State Senator Gene Johns, but lost. After Johns' death two years later, local Democratic leaders appointed Poshard to the vacancy. Eve Johns, Johns' widow and an unsuccessful candidate for the appointment, opted to run as an independent.{{cite news|last=Grandolfo|first=Jane|title=No party nod for Johns' widow; she vows to stay in Senate race|date=August 27, 1984|newspaper=The Daily Egyptian|access-date=July 30, 2021|page=3|url=https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=de_August1984|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730204356/https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=de_August1984|url-status=live}} As no candidate ran in for the Republican nomination in the 1984 primary, local Republican leaders nominated State Representative Robert Winchester.{{cite news|last=Schmitz|first=Jay|title=Winchester says change is natural step up|date=September 4, 1984|newspaper=The Daily Egyptian|access-date=July 30, 2021|page=4|url=https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=de_September1984|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730204403/https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=de_September1984|url-status=live}} In the 1984 general election, Poshard was victorious winning 47,230 votes to Winchester's 39,173 votes and Johns' 5,862 votes.{{cite news|last=Hillock|first=Darren|title=Poshard jubilant after retaining state seat|date=November 8, 1984|newspaper=The Daily Egyptian|access-date=July 30, 2021|page=4|url=https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=de_November1984|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730204356/https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=de_November1984|url-status=live}} In the 1986 general election, Poshard was reelected by a commanding margin against Republican candidate Richard Simmons of Marion.{{cite news|last1=Franklin|first1=Tim|last2=Davidson|first2=Jean|title=State Democrats Bend, Don't Break|date=November 6, 1986|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=July 30, 2021|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-11-06-8603230520-story.html|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421151846/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-11-06-8603230520-story.html|url-status=live}}

Poshard served in the Illinois State Senate from August 1984 to January 1989. Poshard resigned from the Illinois Senate on January 2, 1989 to take his seat in Congress. Local Democratic leaders chose State Representative Jim Rea from a field of fourteen applicants.{{cite news|last=Perry|first=Scott|title=14 hoping to replace Poshard|date=December 9, 1988|newspaper=The Daily Egyptian|access-date=July 30, 2021|url=https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1006&context=de_December1988|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801035649/https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1006&context=de_December1988|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|editor-last=Gherardini|editor-first=Caroline|title=Woolard replaces Rea in Illinois House|journal=Illinois Issues|volume=15|number=2|page=30|publisher=Sangamon State University|issn=0738-9663|access-date=July 28, 2021|url=https://www.lib.niu.edu/1989/ii890230.html|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728220035/https://www.lib.niu.edu/1989/ii890230.html|url-status=live}}

Congressional service

Poshard ran for U.S. Representative from Illinois' 22nd Congressional District and was elected in 1988. After Illinois lost a district as a result of the 1990 Census, Poshard's district was merged with the neighboring 19th District of fellow Democratic Congressman Terry L. Bruce. The new district contained 40% of Bruce's constituents from the old 19th and 30% of Poshard's constituents from the old 22nd. Poshard was able to win large majorities in the far southern part of the district and subsequently Poshard won the Democratic primary with approximately 62% of the vote.{{cite journal|last=Van Der Slik|first=Jack R.|title=Congressional ocean changing: Illinois delegation caught in waves|journal=Illinois Issues|volume=18|number=7|page=8|publisher=Sangamon State University|issn=0738-9663|access-date=July 31, 2021|url=https://www.lib.niu.edu/1992/ii920708.html|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211082755/https://www.lib.niu.edu/1992/ii920708.html|url-status=live}} During the primary, Poshard was outspent $800,000 to $200,000. Poshard was reelected to another three terms.

As Congressman, he was considered to be a social conservative and fiscal progressive populist; he was opposed to abortion, gay marriage, and the death penalty largely on religious grounds, and opposed free trade agreements. The National Taxpayers Union ranked him 13th of 256 Democrats in the 103rd Congress. He was also a strong proponent of campaign finance reform. He sponsored the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 [https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/5428] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730131940/https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/5428 |date=2021-07-30 }}, which created the Garden of the Gods Wilderness, and he cosponsored the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century[https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2400?s=5&r=84] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730132436/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2400?s=5&r=84 |date=2021-07-30 }} and the Credit Union Membership Access Act.[https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1151?s=7&r=127] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730132851/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1151?s=7&r=127 |date=2021-07-30 }} He voted against the Flag Desecration Amendment.{{cite web|last=Fenno Jr.|first=Richard F.|author-link=Richard Fenno|title=Glenn Poshard in Illinois, May 9-12, 1996|date=May 12, 1996|publisher=University of Rochester|access-date=December 29, 2021|url=https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Box58-Folder1-Glen-Poshard-May-9-12-1996.pdf|archive-date=September 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904123352/https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Box58-Folder1-Glen-Poshard-May-9-12-1996.pdf}}

While in Congress, he twice earned a place on Roll Call's Obscure Caucus list and earned a reputation as prioritizing his district's needs over national media.{{cite news|last=Kilian|first=Michael|title=Glenn the Obscure|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 17, 1994|access-date=July 31, 2021|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-10-17-9410170069-story.html|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421151846/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-10-17-9410170069-story.html|url-status=live}}

After he left Congress, Poshard and his wife Jo founded the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children,{{cite news|last=Hayes|first=Rick|title=Poshard forms abused child foundation|newspaper=Harrisburg Register|date=May 26, 1999|via=NewsBank}} which raises more than $100,000 annually to fund care for abused children and other victims of domestic abuse throughout southern Illinois. Among its many activities, the Poshard Foundation led efforts to construct a new $600,000 women's shelter in Cairo, Illinois that opened in December 2003.{{cite news|title=Volunteers spend time, and more, on Cairo Women's Center|last=Peach|first=Brian|date=September 21, 2003|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|page=11|via=NewsBank}}

Gubernatorial campaign

In 1998 Poshard ran for governor against Republican Secretary of State George Ryan. He was somewhat more conservative on social issues than Ryan, a moderate Republican. While this garnered him support from social conservatives who normally voted Republican, it also cost him some support from Chicago liberals.

In keeping with his views on campaign financing, Poshard severely curtailed contributions to his campaign. He refused to accept any corporate or special interest group donations and limited private donations to a small amount per individual. He thus faced a significant financial disadvantage in the campaign against Ryan and was outspent by a roughly 4 to 1 margin.

Poshard was first to alert the public about Ryan's connection to the "licenses for bribes" scandal and other corruption. Some individuals, even prominent Democrats like former Senator Paul Simon, criticized Poshard for his attacks on Ryan's corruption. However, Poshard was vindicated to a considerable extent when Ryan was indicted in late 2003 on 22 counts of racketeering conspiracy, mail and tax fraud, and false statements charges alleging public corruption during his terms as Illinois Secretary of State and as governor. Ryan was subsequently convicted and was sentenced to serve six and a half years in prison.

Poshard lost the governor's race to Ryan by a 47–51% margin. In his concession speech, Poshard declared that "no purpose is served by anger or resentment. No good is served by dropping out of the system in the future. The time for disappointment is only for this evening. Tomorrow we go back to work."

Continued political career

On February 10, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Poshard to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees for a term commencing January 23, 2004 and ending January 17, 2005. Poshard was confirmed by the Illinois Senate on February 26, 2004.{{cite journal|last1=Hendon|first1=Ricky|last2=Geo-Karis|first2=Adeline|title=Message from the Governor|journal=Journal of the Illinois Senate|volume=93|number=85|date=February 26, 2004|page=25|publisher=Illinois Senate|location=Springfield, Illinois|access-date=July 31, 2021|url=https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/93/2004/SJ093085R.pdf|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801050255/https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/93/2004/SJ093085R.pdf|url-status=live}} That same year, on November 16, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Poshard to serve as the Chair of the Health Facilities Planning Board for a term ending July 1, 2007.{{cite journal|last=Handley|first=Joseph|title=Message from the Governor|journal=Journal of the Illinois Senate|volume=93|number=157|date=November 16, 2021|page=7|publisher=Illinois Senate|location=Springfield, Illinois|access-date=July 31, 2021|url=https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/93/2004/SJ093157R.pdf|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801032706/https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/93/2004/SJ093157R.pdf|url-status=live}} Poshard resigned from the Health Facilities Planning Board after becoming the President of Southern Illinois University.{{cite news|last=Adrian|first=Matt|title=Poshard steps down from health facilities planning board|date=January 11, 2006|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|via=NewsBank}} In 2004, he also served as the unpaid, interim general manager of the Rend Lake Conservancy District, which supplies water to more than 60 southern Illinois towns.{{cite news|last=Abell|first=Jeff|title=Poshard takes over RLCD|date=July 7, 2004|newspaper=The Marion Republican|via=NewsBank}}

At the conclusion of the one-year term, Governor Blagojevich appointed Poshard to a six year term on the SIU Board of Trustees.{{cite journal|last=Handley|first=Joseph B.|title=Messages from the Governor|journal=Journal of the Illinois Senate|volume=94|number=10|page=5|publisher=Illinois Senate|access-date=August 1, 2021|url=https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/94/2005/SJ094010R.pdf|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801051929/https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/journals/94/2005/SJ094010R.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Hale|first=Caleb|title=Governor Re-appoints Poshard to SIU Board|date=January 29, 2005|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|access-date=August 1, 2021|url=https://thesouthern.com/news/governor-re-appoints-poshard-to-siu-board/article_5606a7a4-ba75-5132-a008-5bd14dec853b.amp.html|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801051933/https://thesouthern.com/news/governor-re-appoints-poshard-to-siu-board/article_5606a7a4-ba75-5132-a008-5bd14dec853b.amp.html|url-status=live}} Poshard was later elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees.{{cite news|last=Halethe|first=Caleb|title=Poshard named trustees chairman|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|date=March 12, 2004|via=NewsBank}} He resigned his position on the board of trustees in 2005 when he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Southern Illinois University system.{{cite journal|title=Big People on Campus|journal=Illinois Issues|volume=32|number=1|page=32|editor-first=Peggy|editor-last=Boyer Long|publisher=University of Illinois at Springfield|location=Springfield, Illinois|issn=0738-9663|access-date=March 21, 2023|url=https://archive.org/details/illinx322006sang/page/32/mode/2up}}

In the 2022 Democratic primary, Poshard was elected unopposed to the position of Democratic State Central Committeeman for Illinois's 12th congressional district. He serves as one of the district's two representatives to the Democratic Party of Illinois alongside Central Committeewoman Vivian Robinson.{{cite news|last=Temple|first=Terra|title=Bremer, Burnham win Republican primary; Windhorst wins state rep. nomination|date=June 30, 2022|access-date=July 11, 2022|newspaper=Metropolis Planet|url=https://www.metropolisplanet.com/news/bremer-burnham-win-republican-primary-windhorst-wins-state-rep-nomination/article_fe3cf46f-edf3-53dc-afbe-5dbf6c5f6691.html|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712015443/https://www.metropolisplanet.com/news/bremer-burnham-win-republican-primary-windhorst-wins-state-rep-nomination/article_fe3cf46f-edf3-53dc-afbe-5dbf6c5f6691.html}}

Continued higher education career

In 1999, Poshard was hired by Southern Illinois University Carbondale to serve as the Vice Chancellor of Administration.{{cite news|last=Bode|first=Gus|title=Poshard hired despite controversy|date=July 21, 1999|volume=84|number=170|newspaper=The Daily Egyptian|access-date=August 11, 2021|url=https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=de_July1999|archive-date=August 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811145152/https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=de_July1999|url-status=live}} He would serve in the position until his appointment to the SIU Board of Trustees.

In 2005, Poshard put his name forward for consideration to become the President of the Southern Illinois University system. On November 14, 2005, the SIU Board of Trustees passed a resolution authorizing a contract to be signed between the SIU system and Poshard. The next month, at their December 8, 2005 meeting, a resolution approving the contract was passed.{{cite web|title=2005-2006 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees|year=2006|work=OpenSIUC|publisher=Southern Illinois University Carbondale|access-date=August 1, 2021|url=https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=bot_ar|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124074014/https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=bot_ar|url-status=live}} He took office on January 1, 2006. Poshard was accused of plagiarism in 2007 after it was revealed that portions of his doctoral dissertation were lifted from another source without attribution.{{cite web|title=Chronicle of Higher Education|date=31 August 2007 |url=http://chronicle.com/article/Southern-Illinois-President/123003|publisher=Chronicle of Higher Education|access-date=2012-10-19|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073055/http://chronicle.com/article/Southern-Illinois-President/123003|url-status=live}} The faculty senate at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville asked Poshard to step down as president. Poshard was later acquitted of plagiarism charges after a university committee he appointed called it "inadvertent plagiarism".{{cite news|title=USA Today|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-29-plagiarism_N.htm|publisher=USA Today|first=Janice|last=Lloyd|date=January 30, 2009|access-date=2012-10-19|archive-date=2015-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108214725/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-29-plagiarism_N.htm|url-status=live}} He retired after the 2013-14 school year. On October 7, 2022, SIU Carbondale's Transportation Education Center at Southern Illinois Airport was named the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center in recognition of Poshard's leadership at the SIU system.{{cite news|last=Rosenbery|first=Pete|title=SIU dedicates Poshard Transportation Education Center|date=October 12, 2022|newspaper=The Benton Evening News|via=NewsBank}}

In 2016, Poshard was appointed to the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees following the death of Trustee Bill Alstat. He was elected to the position in 2017 and re-elected in 2021.{{cite news|last=Trappe|first=Renee|title=Rendleman, Poshard, Clark win seats on Logan College board|date=April 6, 2021|newspaper=Carbondale Times|access-date=August 1, 2021|url=https://www.carbondaletimes.com/news/20210406/rendleman-poshard-clark-win-seats-on-logan-college-board|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801054133/https://www.carbondaletimes.com/news/20210406/rendleman-poshard-clark-win-seats-on-logan-college-board|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=|title=Former Congressman Poshard Named To College Board|date=September 17, 2016|newspaper=WAND TV|access-date=August 1, 2021|url=https://www.wandtv.com/news/former-congressman-poshard-named-to-college-board/article_d98c8e55-aa64-5f1a-a3c8-109632927afd.html|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801054133/https://www.wandtv.com/news/former-congressman-poshard-named-to-college-board/article_d98c8e55-aa64-5f1a-a3c8-109632927afd.html|url-status=live}}

Morthland College's board of trustees voted unanimously to hire Poshard as the president of Morthland College effective February 13, 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/poshard-named-president-of-morthland-college-will-continue-as-jalc-board-trustee/article_d0113e10-f386-531f-8dc6-eab719ad4d23.html|title=Poshard named president of Morthland College; will continue as JALC board trustee|first=Molly|last=Parker|website=The Southern|date=14 February 2017|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421151849/https://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/poshard-named-president-of-morthland-college-will-continue-as-jalc-board-trustee/article_d0113e10-f386-531f-8dc6-eab719ad4d23.html|url-status=live}}

After two months in the position, citing serious issues with the college's finances and personnel that had not been disclosed during the hiring process, Poshard resigned from the position effective April 26, 2017.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Isaac|title=Poshard resigns as president of Morthland College|date=May 3, 2017|newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan|access-date=August 1, 2021|url=https://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/poshard-resigns-as-president-of-morthland-college/article_9ab535e7-acf3-5ebb-ae72-5f0e98e5c5e9.html|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801053243/https://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/poshard-resigns-as-president-of-morthland-college/article_9ab535e7-acf3-5ebb-ae72-5f0e98e5c5e9.html|url-status=live}} An investigation by the United States Department of Education of financial mismanagement by the college, started in January 2017 prior to Poshard's hiring, resulted in its closure in 2018.{{cite news |title=Morthland College investigated by state, federal agencies; fined millions over alleged mishandling of federal funds |url=http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/westfrankfort/morthland-college-investigated-by-state-federal-agencies-fined-millions-over/article_0bd62e4f-af67-559c-b277-f863255d4f52.html |publisher=The Southern Illinoisan |first=Issac |last=Smith |date=September 25, 2017 |accessdate=May 27, 2018 |archive-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605132239/http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/westfrankfort/morthland-college-investigated-by-state-federal-agencies-fined-millions-over/article_0bd62e4f-af67-559c-b277-f863255d4f52.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/westfrankfort/morthland-college-is-closing-according-to-an-attorney-for-the/article_e16606f1-bca1-5ffb-afe4-19dc30676921.html |title=Morthland College is closing, according to an attorney for the West Frankfort school |first=Isaac |last=Smith |publisher=The Southern Illinoisan |date=May 26, 2018 |accessdate=May 27, 2018 |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527033932/http://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/westfrankfort/morthland-college-is-closing-according-to-an-attorney-for-the/article_e16606f1-bca1-5ffb-afe4-19dc30676921.html |url-status=live }}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin |title=Illinois gubernatorial election, 1998{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.illinois.gov/ElectionInformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GE&ElectionID=11&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=1308&QueryType=Office& |title=Ballots Cast |publisher=Elections.illinois.gov |date=1998-11-03 |access-date=2015-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095755/http://www.elections.illinois.gov/ElectionInformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GE&ElectionID=11&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=1308&QueryType=Office& |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = George Ryan / Corinne Wood

|votes = 1,714,094

|percentage = 51.03%

|change = -12.85%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Glenn Poshard / Mary Lou Kearns

|votes = 1,594,191

|percentage = 47.46%

|change = +13.02%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Reform Party (United States)

|candidate = Lawrence Redmond / Phyllis Nirchi

|votes = 50,372

|percentage = 1.50%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Write-ins

|candidate =

|votes = 48

|percentage = 0.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 119,903

|percentage = 3.57%

|change = -25.87%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 3,358,705

|percentage = 49.72%

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|swing =

}}

class=wikitable
rowspan=2 \| District ! colspan=3 \| Incumbent ! colspan=2 \| This race
Representative ! Party ! Election ! Results ! Candidates
{{ushr\|Illinois\|19\|X}} \| Glenn Poshard \| {{party shading/Democratic}} \| Democratic \| 1996 \| Incumbent re-elected. \| nowrap \| {{Plainlist \| {{Aye}} Glenn Poshard (Democratic) 66.69% Brent Winters (Republican) 31.83% Patricia Riker (Natural Law) 0.95% James Lacher (Libertarian) 0.53% }}
{{ushr\|Illinois\|19\|X}} \| Glenn Poshard \| {{Party shading/Democratic}} \| Democratic \| 1994 \| Incumbent re-elected. \| nowrap \| {{Plainlist \| {{Aye}} Glenn Poshard (Democratic) 58.4% Brent Winters (Republican) 41.6% }}
rowspan=2 \| {{Ushr\|Illinois\|19\|X}} \| Glenn Poshard {{Small\|Redistricted from the {{Ushr\|IL\|22\|C}}}} \| {{Party shading/Democratic}} \| Democratic \| rowspan=2 \| 1992 \| Incumbent re-elected. \| rowspan=2 nowrap \| {{Plainlist\| {{Aye}} Glenn Poshard (Democratic) 69.1% Douglas E. Lee (Republican) 30.9% }}
Terry L. Bruce \| {{Party shading/Democratic}} \| Democratic \| {{Party shading/Loss}}\|Redistricting contest Democratic loss.
{{ushr\|Illinois\|22\|X}} \| Glenn Poshard \| {{Party shading/Democratic}} \| Democratic \| 1990 \| Incumbent re-elected. \| nowrap \| {{Plainlist \| {{Aye}} Glenn Poshard (Democratic) 83.7% Jim Wham (Independent) 16.3% }}
{{ushr\|Illinois\|22\|X}} \| Kenneth J. Gray \| {{Party shading/Democratic}} \| Democratic \| 1988 \| {{Party shading/Hold}} \| Incumbent retired. New member elected. Democratic hold. \| nowrap \| {{Plainlist \| {{Aye}} Glenn Poshard (Democratic) 64.9% Patrick J. Kelley (Republican) 35.1% }}

class=wikitable

rowspan=2 | District

! colspan=3 | Incumbent

! colspan=2 | This race

Representative

! Party

! Election

! Results

! Candidates

| Glenn Poshard

| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic

| 1996