1996 United States Senate election in Illinois

The 1996 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Paul Simon chose to retire rather than seek a third term in office. In the Democratic primary, U.S. Representative Dick Durbin emerged victorious, while state representative Al Salvi won the Republican primary. Though the election was initially anticipated to be close, Durbin ended up defeating Salvi by a comfortable double-digit margin of victory, allowing him to win what would be the first of several terms in the Senate.

Election information
The primaries and general elections coincided with those for other federal offices (president and House), as well as those for state offices.

Turnout
For the primaries, turnout was 25.85%, with 1,583,406 votes cast. For the general election, turnout was 63.79%, with 4,250,722 votes cast.

Candidates

 * Jalil Ahmad, real estate agent
 * Dick Durbin, incumbent U.S. Representative from Illinois's 20th congressional district
 * Ronald F. Gibbs, advisor to former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington
 * Paul H. D. Park, member of Chicago's Economic Development Commission
 * Pat Quinn, former Illinois State Treasurer

Candidates

 * Al Salvi, incumbent State Representative
 * Martin Paul Gallagher
 * Wayne S. Kurzeja
 * Bob Kustra, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
 * Robert Marshall, perennial candidate

Candidates

 * David F. Hoscheidt, attorney from Bloomington
 * Robin J. Miller, businessman from East Peoria, Illinois

Results
Durbin won the election easily.