[3] In the 1958 general election, Barry, self-identifying as a Democrat, ran for the Illinois House of Representatives as an independent.

[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.

[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.

[13] He also served as Presiding Judge of the Third District and of the Appellate Court's Industrial Commission Division.

[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.