Skip to content
elect.link
Latest
Allupdates
D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. House 11, Illinois · Nov 3, 2026

Bill
Foster

Democratic physicist and entrepreneur Bill Foster seeks reelection to Illinois's 11th Congressional District in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
19
positions
12
endorsements
4
billfoster.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Jeff Walter R Compare race →

Background

Bill Foster is the Democratic U.S. Representative for Illinois's 11th Congressional District, currently serving and seeking reelection in the November 2026 general election. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1975, and a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1984. 1322

Before entering politics, Foster worked as a high-energy physicist and particle accelerator designer at Fermilab, where he held the title of senior physicist. He also co-founded Electronic Theatre Controls with his brother. 13

Foster first represented Illinois's 14th Congressional District from 2008 to 2011 (110th and 111th Congresses), then returned to Congress in 2013 representing the 11th District, serving continuously from the 113th Congress onward. He resides in Naperville, Illinois. 1322

His campaign describes him as a businessman, scientist, and independent voice for Illinois's 11th District, and his campaign website identifies him as running for reelection to that seat. 912

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 11, Illinois
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative, Illinois's 11th Congressional District
Website
billfoster.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How Bill Foster voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,909
missed
0.8%
with their party’s majority
98%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs
    Retire through Ownership Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy
    Water Resources Development Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy
    Ratepayer Protection Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety
    National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget
    Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    news
    Foster and Walter confirmed as the two candidates in the Nov. 3 general election for IL-11

    Illinois election listings confirmed Bill Foster (D) and Jeff Walter (R) as the two candidates competing in the November 3 general election for Illinois's 11th Congressional District.

    Illinois elections | JTN Local · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 6
    endorsement
    Chicago Tribune editorial board endorses Bill Foster for Illinois 11th District U.S. House seat

    The Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Foster, stating 'We see Foster as vital to the House and he has our support.' The editorial quoted Foster on Supreme Court reform, saying expanding the Court would make the legal system unstable, and on AI policy, saying Congress had 'sat on the sidelines' and had 'a lot of catching up to do.'

    Editorial: Bill Foster for US House of Representatives in ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 2
    news
    Foster co-authors opinion piece on AI and financial services with former Rep. John Delaney

    Foster posted about an opinion piece on artificial intelligence and financial services that he co-wrote with former Representative John Delaney, signaling his continued focus on AI policy.

    Congressman Bill Foster on X · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 2
    news
    Foster posts about Congressional App Challenge deadline for district students

    Foster reminded students in his district that the deadline for his 2026 Congressional App Challenge was October 26. This is a congressional district activity rather than a campaign-policy announcement.

    Post · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 26
    news
    Fundraising snapshot shows Foster with ~$2.2M raised vs. Walter's $311K

    A third-party candidate profile page listed Foster with approximately $2.2 million raised compared to Republican opponent Jeff Walter's $311,000. This is a summary figure and has not been independently verified against underlying FEC filings.

    Jeff Walter, Illinois House, District 11 candidate · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Mar 1
    filing
    Foster runs unopposed in Democratic primary; Walter wins Republican primary with 42.6%

    CBS Chicago reports Foster ran unopposed in the March Democratic primary for Illinois 11th District. Jeff Walter won the Republican primary against three other candidates, earning 42.6% of the vote, setting up a Foster vs. Walter general-election matchup.

    Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) union
    NTEU's Illinois page lists Foster under its 2026 U.S. House endorsements; no specific date shown. nteu.org
  • Teamsters Joint Council 25 union
    Teamsters Joint Council 25 included Foster in its Illinois congressional slate of pro-union candidates. teamster.org · Oct 8, 2026
  • Chicago Tribune Editorial Board newspaper
    The Tribune Editorial Board endorsed Foster for Illinois' 11th District in its 2026 Illinois endorsements. yahoo.com · Oct 6, 2026
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    AFGE endorsed Foster as part of a slate of Illinois incumbents for reelection to Congress. afge.org · Mar 16, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House IL-11 · DWon149,17256.5%
2020U.S. House IL-11 · DWon194,55763.3%
2018U.S. House IL-11 · DWon145,40763.8%
2016U.S. House IL-11 · DWon166,57860.4%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$2.18M
Spent
$1.23M
Cash on hand
$2.51M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H8IL14067(opens in a new tab)

Sources 19

  1. [1] Illinois elections | JTN Local(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Illinois(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Teamsters Joint Council 25 Endorses Slate of Pro-Union ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Editorial: Bill Foster for US House of Representatives in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  5. [5] Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for the 2026 Illinois ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  6. [6] Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  7. [7] Congressman Bill Foster on X(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  8. [8] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  9. [9] Post(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  10. [10] Jeff Walter, Illinois House, District 11 candidate(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  11. [11] Foster Statement on Republican Reconciliation Package(opens in a new tab) Jun 9, 2026
  12. [12] AFGE Endorses 7 Illinois Lawmakers for Reelection to ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 16, 2026
  13. [13] Foster Delivers Over $16.3 Million for 11th District in Community Project ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 16, 2026
  14. [14] Foster Statement on DHS Funding, War Powers Resolution ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
  15. [15] Combating the Climate Crisis(opens in a new tab) Feb 9, 2025
  16. [16] Protecting Democracy(opens in a new tab) Jul 5, 2023
  17. [17] Education | Congressman Bill Foster(opens in a new tab) Nov 2, 2022
  18. [18] Foster Votes to Ban Assault Weapons(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2022
  19. [19] Foster Statement on House Passage of Justice in Policing Act(opens in a new tab) Jun 25, 2020
Are you Bill Foster?
Claim this page to add a statement to voters and correct your details.
Sign in to claim
elect.link

Candidate pages are assembled automatically from public web sources. Every claim links to where it came from. Nonpartisan; no endorsements. Candidates can claim their page to add a statement and corrections.