John M. Shimkus (R)
About The Candidate
- Office Sought: Representative, Illinois (19)
- Birth Date: Feb. 21, 1958
- Occupation: Teacher
- Religion: Lutheran
- Web site: http://www.volunteersforshimkus.org
Education
- Southern Illinois University, MBA
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point, BS
John M. Shimkus was born in Collinsville, Ill., where he still lives. He received a bachelor's degree in general engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1980.
After graduation, Shimkus trained as a U.S. Army Ranger and paratrooper. He served as an infantry officer in West Germany and the United States. He is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves.
After leaving the Army, Shimkus returned to Collinsville in 1987 and taught government and history at Metro-East Lutheran High School.
He received his teaching certificate from Christ College in Irvine, Calif., in 1989 and a business degree from Southern Illinois University in 1987.
Shimkus was first elected to the U.S. House in 1996, winning the seat formerly held by Dick Durbin, who won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Shimkus and his wife, Karen Muth, have three children.
