John Shimkus (born February 21, 1958), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 19th District of Illinois (map). He was born in Collinsville, Illinois, was educated at West Point Military Academy at West Point, New York and Southern Illinois University, served in the United States Army, and was a teacher before entering the House. He is currently a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its subcommittees on Telecommunications and the Internet, Health, and Energy and Air Quality. He is also the chairman of the House Page Board and, in accordance with his Lithuanian heritage, is co-chairman of the Baltic Caucus (the other chairman is Dennis Kucinich of Ohio).
Shimkus has announced that he will run for reelection in 2006 and 2008, despite making a pledge not to stay in office for more than 12 years.
FEC records show the John S. Fund, the PAC for John Shimkus, made more than the maximum allowable contributions to Peter Roskam, a Republican candidate for the House from Illinois' 6th district, and to David McSweeney a Republican candidate for the House from Illinois' 8th district. This is a possible violation of federal law. The John S Fund also contributed to Tom DeLay, who is now facing criminal charges. Recently the funds treasurer, a lobbyist, resigned.
