Early Life, Education and Career
Shimkus is a lifelong resident of Collinsville, a suburb of St. Louis. He is the son of Kathleen N. (née Mondy) and Gene L. Shimkus. His paternal grandfather was of Lithuanian descent. Shimkus earned his bachelor's degree at the United States Military Academy. After serving his five-year Army commitment, he entered the reserves, retiring in 2008 as a lieutenant colonel.
Shimkus earned a teaching certificate from Christ College Irvine (now Concordia University Irvine) and began teaching at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville. He earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1987.
Shimkus first ran for office in 1989, when he was elected a Collinsville Township trustee. A year later, he was elected as Madison County treasurer, becoming the first Republican county officeholder in 10 years. He was reelected in 1994, becoming the first Republican reelected countywide in Madison County in 50 years.
Read more about this topic: John Shimkus
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