Tobias Barry

In the 1958 general election, Barry, self-identifying as a Democrat, ran for the Illinois House of Representatives as an independent.^[4] After an initial loss to Democratic incumbent William C. Hollerich, a recount put Barry ahead of Hollerich. Ultimately a House Committee opted to keep Hollerich as the elected representative when it met to resolve the elections of the 40th district and 46th district.^[5] In 1960, Barry was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from the 40th district.^[1] He was credited with laying the legislative groundwork for the construction of Interstate 39 and a section of it is named in his honor.^[6]

In the 1974 general election, he opted to run for a position as an Appellate Judge on the Third Judicial Court in lieu of running for reelection to the House.^[7] He was succeeded in the Illinois House by Richard Mautino.^[8] In 1990, Barry ran against fellow Appellate Judge and Republican candidate James D. Heiple for the vacancy created by the retirement of Howard C. Ryan.^[9] Heiple won by a margin of only 2,827 votes (50.33% to 49.67%). Each candidate won a large plurality in his home county, while the vote in other counties closely followed party lines.^[10] Barry retired from the bench in 1994.^[11]

During his time on the bench, Barry served on the Administrative Committee^[12] and the Illinois Supreme Court's committee on legislative affairs.^[13] He also served as Presiding Judge of the Third District and of the Appellate Court's Industrial Commission Division.^[14]

In 2001, Governor George Ryan appointed Barry to the Illinois Gaming Board.^[11] Later that year, Barry was appointed as one of the commissioners of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.^[11] In 2002, Barry was appointed to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court for a two-year term to fill the vacancy left by Thomas Homer's retirement.^[15] He retired from law practice in 2006.^[16] Barry died April 4, 2017, at age 92.^[2]