Thomas J. Courtney
Encyclopedia
Thomas J. Courtney was an influential Illinois Democratic politician and attorney for roughly 50 years in the mid-20th Century.
Courtney was born in Chicago
, Illinois to James R. Courtney and Catherine (Hussey) Courtney. In 1917 he married Kathryn Foley. In 1927 he was elected to the Illinois State Senate
from the 11th District, serving one term of six years.
In his last year in the legislature, Courtney ran successfully for Cook County State's Attorney
, and for the next dozen years held that office. During his tenure, Courtney frequently made local and even national news for such actions as the "railroaded" prosecution of mobster Roger Touhy
for the fake kidnapping of Jake "The Barber" Factor
; investigating a CTA
"L" crash where 20 persons died, raiding betting parlors, and raiding slot machines. Numerous raids in 1938 netted headlines but no convictions and are viewed by historians as political show.
While State's Attorney Courtney was twice a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
.
In the late 1930s, Courtney tried to ally himself with Governor Henry Horner
in the latter's political feud with Chicago mayor Ed Kelly
and Democratic boss Patrick A. Nash, going so far as to challenge Kelly in the 1939 mayoral primary. Horner, however, had reconciled with the Democratic bosses, and without Horner's support, Courtney was beaten by a 2:1 margin.
In 1944, Courtney was the Democratic nominee for governor of Illinois, losing in the general election to Republican incumbent Dwight H. Green
. The next year, 1945, he became a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and served on the bench for the next quarter-century, until 1970. He died the year after he left the bench, in 1971, in Chicago.
Courtney was a Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus
.
Courtney was born in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois to James R. Courtney and Catherine (Hussey) Courtney. In 1917 he married Kathryn Foley. In 1927 he was elected to the Illinois State Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
from the 11th District, serving one term of six years.
In his last year in the legislature, Courtney ran successfully for Cook County State's Attorney
Cook County State's Attorney
Cook County State's Attorney is second largest prosecutor's office in the nation. The office has nearly 900 attorneys and 1,600 employees, and has an annual operating budget of approximately $131 million for fiscal year 2010....
, and for the next dozen years held that office. During his tenure, Courtney frequently made local and even national news for such actions as the "railroaded" prosecution of mobster Roger Touhy
Roger Touhy
Roger Touhy was an Irish-American mob boss and prohibition-era bootlegger from Chicago, Illinois. He is best remembered for having been framed for the 1933 faked kidnapping of gangster John "Jake the Barber" Factor, a brother of cosmetics manufacturer Max Factor, Sr...
for the fake kidnapping of Jake "The Barber" Factor
John Factor
John Factor , born Iakov Faktorowicz and popularly known by the nickname "Jake the Barber", was a Prohibition-era gangster and con artist affiliated with the Chicago Outfit who later became a prominent businessman and Las Vegas casino proprietor...
; investigating a CTA
CTA
CTA may refer to:*Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology, abbreviated CTA*California Teachers Association, a labor union*Call to Action...
"L" crash where 20 persons died, raiding betting parlors, and raiding slot machines. Numerous raids in 1938 netted headlines but no convictions and are viewed by historians as political show.
While State's Attorney Courtney was twice a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
.
In the late 1930s, Courtney tried to ally himself with Governor Henry Horner
Henry Horner
Henry Horner was the 28th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1933 to 1940, when he died in office. Horner was the first Jewish governor of Illinois.- Political biography :...
in the latter's political feud with Chicago mayor Ed Kelly
Ed Kelly
Edmond Kelly, also known as "Ed" or "Eddie" and nicknamed the Silver Fox, was and is a former U.S.-Irish soccer player. He played in the American Soccer League and one season in the North American Soccer League and earned two caps with the U.S. national team...
and Democratic boss Patrick A. Nash, going so far as to challenge Kelly in the 1939 mayoral primary. Horner, however, had reconciled with the Democratic bosses, and without Horner's support, Courtney was beaten by a 2:1 margin.
In 1944, Courtney was the Democratic nominee for governor of Illinois, losing in the general election to Republican incumbent Dwight H. Green
Dwight H. Green
Dwight Herbert Green was the 30th Governor of the US state of Illinois, serving from 1941 to 1949.- From childhood to early adulthood :...
. The next year, 1945, he became a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and served on the bench for the next quarter-century, until 1970. He died the year after he left the bench, in 1971, in Chicago.
Courtney was a Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
.