James DeLeo | |
|---|---|
| Member of theIllinois Senate from the 10th district | |
| In office January 13, 1993 – August 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Philip Rock |
| Succeeded by | John Mulroe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1951-08-10)August 10, 1951 (age 73) Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ann DeLeo |
James A. DeLeo is a formerDemocratic member of theIllinois Senate, representing the 10th district since 1992, and is an Assistant Majority Leader. Earlier he served in theIllinois House of Representatives. He announced his retirement from the State Senate in 2010, and left office in August 2010. DemocratJohn G. Mulroe was appointed to replace him and defeated RepublicanBrian Doherty for a full term in office in the 2010 general election.
DeLeo was educated in theChicago Public Schools; he later attended Chicago's Loop Junior College (nowHarold Washington College) andDePaul University where he majored inpolitical science.[1]
Before becoming a state senator, DeLeo served in the Illinois House of Representatives. While serving as a state representative, DeLeo was indicted in 1989 by a federal grand jury as part of the Operation Greylord investigation. He was accused of not paying taxes on bribes he allegedly received while working as a top aide to Cook County’s chief traffic court judge. The jury was unable to reach a verdict, leading DeLeo to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in a plea deal that allowed him to keep his legislative position.[2]
DeLeo sponsored legislation to increase funding fordiabetes research by giving individual taxpayers the opportunity to designate contributions on their income tax returns. He also sponsored resolution SJR0061 of the 95th General Assembly honoring the life the lateRosemont, Illinois Mayor,Donald E. Stephens. In the Senate DeLeo served as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments, and was a member of the Senate Executive Committee and the Senate Local Government Committee.
DeLeo chose to leave office in August 2010 and Democratic candidateJohn G. Mulroe was appointed to complete the remainder of his term. Mulroe ran for and won a full term in 2010 general election.[3]
DeLeo co-owns a bar in Chicago, the Tavern on Rush, with Illinois Senate PresidentJohn Cullerton (D-Chicago) and others.[4]