John W. Cox Jr.

John Wayne Cox Jr.[1] (born July 10, 1947) is an American politician and attorney who served a single term as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives representing Illinois's 16th congressional district.[2]

John W. Cox Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 16th district
In office
January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1993
Preceded byLynn Morley Martin
Succeeded byDon Manzullo
State Attorney of Jo Daviess County
In office
1977–1985
Preceded byVictor V. Sprengelmeyer
Succeeded byJ. Christopher Moore
Personal details
Born
John Wayne Cox, Jr.

(1947-07-10) July 10, 1947
Hazel Green, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin (B.S.)
John Marshall Law School (J.D.)
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and career

Cox was born in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. He attended the nearby University of Wisconsin–Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin. After graduation, he joined the United States Army where he served from 1969-1970. He then earned his J.D. degree at John Marshall Law School in Chicago.[3] In 1976, Cox defeated Victor Sprengelmeyer, a Republican appointee, for election to serve as State's Attorney for Jo Daviess County, Illinois.[4][5] During his tenure as State's Attorney, Cox was an advocate for enhanced federal prosecution of human traffickers operating on the Illinois—Iowa border.[6] He served two terms and returned to private practice.[5] He was succeeded by J. Christopher Moore as State's Attorney.[7]

After his terms as State's Attorney, Cox served as a Special Assistant Attorney General with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, an instructor at Loras College, and the City Attorney for Galena, Illinois.[5]

Congressional term

After the retirement of Republican incumbent Lynn Morley Martin, Cox joined the race to succeed her in Congress. Surprisingly, Cox defeated Republican John Hallock, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from Rockford.[8] During his term, he served on the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee; Government Operations Committee; Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation and Insurance Subcommittee; Housing and Community Development Subcommittee; and Government Information, Justice and Agriculture Subcommittee [3]

During the Republican-led[9] 1991 decennial redistricting, the 16th district added portions of staunchly Republican McHenry County. Donald Manzullo defeated Cox in the newly drawn 16th district.[10] At the time of Cox's loss, fellow Illinois Democrat Dan Rostenkowski was laying the groundwork to get Cox a seat on the United States House Committee on Ways and Means.[11] Manzullo held the seat until his defeat by fellow Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger for renomination in the 2012 Republican primary election held on March 20, 2012, after the 2011 decennial redistricting.[12][13]

Post congressional career

Following his term, Cox returned to Galena, Illinois where he continued his private law practice. Since returning to Galena, Cox he served as City Attorney for the City of Galena, Illinois.[14] Cox served as Vice President for External Affairs and General Counsel for Jo-Carroll Energy, Inc. (NFP), an Illinois energy cooperative until he retired.

Notes
  1. Martindale-Hubbell Law Profile
  2. Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Index to Politicians: Cox". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  3. "Congress". Illinois Blue Book 1991-1992. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. 1992. p. 41.
  4. "Final Results Make Cox State's Attorney". Freeport Journal-Standard. November 4, 1976. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  5. "John W. Cox Jr. (id: C000836)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  6. Sacia, Jim (2019). "Jigs Steiner". Not in My Wildest Dreams: Memoirs of a Veteran FBI Agent. New York City: Page Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9781644242124.
  7. Illinois Blue Book 1985-1986 page 376
  8. Mount, Charles (October 20, 1992). "Democrat Cox Hopes for Historic Re-Election". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  9. Wheeler III, Charles N (1992-11-30). "Redistricting '91: the World Series of Illinois politics". Illinois Issues. Northern Illinois University Libraries. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
  10. Kuczka, Susan (November 5, 1992). "Crane storms back as strong as ever". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  11. "Illinois Scores in the Clout Game". Chicago Tribune. December 14, 1992. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  12. Biasco, Paul (November 13, 2011). "Manzullo to run in redrawn 16th District". Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  13. "2012 General Primary Official Vote Totals Book" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  14. "Forbes Biographical Sketch". People.forbes.com. 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
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