| Election Name: | 1872 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | Yes |
| Previous Election: | 1868 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1868 |
| Next Election: | 1876 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1876 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1872 |
| Image1: | Richard James Oglesby - Brady-Handy (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Richard J. Oglesby |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 237,774 |
| Percentage1: | 54.41% |
| Nominee2: | Gustavus Koerner |
| Party2: | Liberal Republican Party (United States) |
| Alliance2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 197,084 |
| Percentage2: | 45.10% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | John M. Palmer |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Richard J. Oglesby |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1872 Illinois gubernatorial election was the fifteenth election for this office. Republican nominee, Former Governor Richard J. Oglesby defeated the Democratic and Liberal Republican nominee Gustavus Koerner. B. G. Wright represented Independent Democrats unwilling to ally with Liberal Republicans. Oglesby had agreed to run for the Governorship but to resign upon being elected so that Lt. Governor John Lourie Beveridge could assume the office. Oglesby was in turn appointed to the U.S. Senate.
At this time in Illinois history, the Lieutenant Governor was elected on a separate ballot from the governor. This would remain so until the 1970 constitution.