1996Final results
1996 election for U.S. Senate in Illinois
U.S. Senate · Illinois
Richard J. Durbin (D) won with 56.1% of the vote, defeating Al Salvi (R) by 15.4 points.
Richard J. DurbinDemocrat · winner
56.1%2,384,028
Al SalviRepublican
40.7%1,728,824
Steven H. PerryReform
1.4%61,023
Robin J. MillerLibertarian
1.0%41,218
Chad KoppieConstitution
0.4%17,563
James E. DavisNatural Law
0.3%13,838
4,250,722 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1996
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Richard J. DurbinAl Salvi
$4.8M
Raised by the campaign
$4.8M
$5M
Spent by the campaign
$4.8M
$19.8K
Cash on hand
$2.9K
Other candidates' campaigns: Chad Koppie $46K · James E. Davis $45.1K · Robin J. Miller $28.4K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Richard J. Durbin (D)Al Salvi (R)
Also on the ballot: Steven H. Perry (Reform), 1.4%; Robin J. Miller (Libertarian), 1.0%; Chad Koppie (Constitution), 0.4%; James E. Davis (Natural Law), 0.3%