Bost, Mike, 1960-

Michael Joseph Bost (/ˈbɔːst/; born December 30, 1960) is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 12th congressional district since 2015. From 1995 to 2015, Bost was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 115th district. Prior to holding elected office, Bost was a firefighter.

Bost was raised Baptist and graduated from Murphysboro High School. He attended a firefighter academy program offered by the University of Illinois, later becoming a firefighter. Bost did not complete a college degree. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1982.

Bost ran his family's trucking business for ten years. Since 1989, Bost and his wife Tracy have owned and operated White House Beauty Salon in Murphysboro.

Bost was a member of the Jackson County Board from 1984 to 1988, the treasurer of Murphysboro Township from 1989 to 1992, and trustee of Murphysboro Township from 1993 to 1995, until his election to the Illinois House of Representatives.

Bost was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in November 1994, having lost his first campaign in 1992. In his 1994 campaign against incumbent Gerald Hawkins, he was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.