John D'Arco Sr.

John D'Arco Sr. (March 27, 1912 – October 27, 1994) was an American politician, who was involved in organized political corruption, illegal gambling and prostitution activities in Chicago, Illinois, US.[1]

John D'Arco
Chicago, Illinois First Ward Alderman
In office
1952–1963
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1945–1952
Chicago, Illinois First Ward Democratic Committeeman
In office
1952–1992
Personal details
Born(1912-03-27)March 27, 1912
Chicago, Illinois, US
DiedOctober 27, 1994(1994-10-27) (aged 82)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenJohn A. D'Arco Jr.

Early life

D'Arco was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 27, 1912 to parents of Italian ancestry. Growing up in the Near West Side, he allegedly developed connections with street gangs in Chicago's Little Italy, during the 1920s.[2]

Rise to power and politics

By 1951, D'Arco had already become a powerful Democratic ward boss of the 1st Ward and, in 1945, he was a Democratic Committeeman, as well. He also served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1945 to 1952 as a Democrat. He was known for providing protection to the Chicago criminal gangs, including the Chicago Outfit, and participating in a variety of criminal activities, ranging from organized corruption of city officials to prostitution.[1][2]

Later years, investigations, and death

During the 1970s, D'Arco was investigated by the US federal government for his alleged involvement in an attempt to fix the 1977 murder trial of reputed hitman Harry Aleman, but he was never indicted. D'Arco died in Chicago, Illinois.[2][3]

References
  1. Hillel., Levin (2015), When Corruption Was King How I Helped the Mob Rule Chicago, Then Brought the Outfit Down., Blackstone Audio Inc, ISBN 978-1-4830-4745-4, OCLC 885228196, retrieved 2021-03-21
  2. Illinois Blue Book 1949-1950, Biographical Sketch of John D'Arco, p. 167
  3. Former 1st Ward Chief John D'arco Sr., Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1994

See also


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