Foster Wins Reelection in Illinois's 11th District
Democrat Bill Foster defeated Republican Jeff Walter in the Illinois 11th Congressional District race on Tuesday.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Bill Foster won reelection in Illinois's 11th Congressional District, receiving 72,663 votes or 67.6% to Jeff Walter's 34,755 votes or 32.4%. The Associated Press called the race for Foster at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday with 37% of votes counted.
Why it matters
The result keeps the 11th District seat in Foster's hands, extending his tenure in a congressional seat he has held since 2013. For Illinois voters, the outcome determines who represents the district in Washington for the next term.
The Associated Press reported Foster leading with 67.6% of the vote against Walter's 32.4%, based on unofficial returns when 37% of ballots had been counted. Final certified totals were not available at the time of the call.
The players
Bill Foster
Bill Foster is a Democratic congressman and former physicist who worked at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and co-founded Electronic Theatre Controls with his brother.
Jeff Walter
Jeff Walter is a retired IT consultant and the village president of Elburn, Illinois, who has held that post since 2017.
The details
Foster, a physicist who worked at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and co-founded Electronic Theatre Controls with his brother, has represented the 11th District since 2013 and previously served the 14th District from 2008 to 2011. Walter, a retired IT consultant, has been village president of Elburn since 2017 after serving as a village trustee from 2009 to 2017.
Timeline
2008 to 2011: Foster represents Illinois's 14th Congressional District.
2009 to 2017: Walter serves as an Elburn village trustee.
2013: Foster begins representing the 11th Congressional District.
2017: Walter becomes Elburn village president.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: The Associated Press calls the race for Foster at 8:38 p.m.
Political Context
Foster's reelection continues a congressional career that began with a term representing Illinois's 14th District from 2008 to 2011 before he moved to the 11th District in 2013. Walter's campaign reflects the path of local officeholders, as his tenure as Elburn village president followed years as a village trustee.
Illinois voters in the 11th District now have confirmed representation for the upcoming term, as Foster's win determines who will vote on federal legislation for the district. Residents can track the certified results and seating of the new Congress through official state election channels.
The takeaway
Voters in Illinois's 11th District have chosen continuity in their congressional representation, with Foster's reelection reflecting a sustained preference for his experience in Washington. Watching for certified results will confirm the final margin once all ballots are tallied.
Further reading
Explore more Illinois Elections coverage for context on this race.
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