Charles B. Farwell Republican John M. Palmer Democratic The 1891 United States Senate election in Illinois was held from January 13 to March 11, 1891.

The contentious election was determined by a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly.

[4] A combination of backlash from farmers, personal grudges, and a lethargic campaign for renomination doomed Farwell's candidacy at the caucus.

[5] Oglesby had initially declined to be a candidate in March 1890[6] Oglesby was nominated during the House proceedings by David P. Keller of Macon County and in the Senate by George E. Bacon of Edgar County.

[7][8][3] Alson Streeter the candidate of the Union Labor Party in the 1888 United States presidential election and choice of the Farmers' Alliance members, was nominated during House proceedings by James Cockrell of Marion County.