James R. Quinn

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1944 -- James R. Quinn, 50th Ward alderman.

Chicago Tribune Obituary, November 27, 1976, page S15

James R. Quinn, (1891-1976) vice chairman of the Chicago Transit Authority, died Friday at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. He was 85.

A former Chicago Alderman, Democratic leader, and attorney, he was the only remaining member of the original CTA Board, having been appointed 31 years ago by Mayor Edward J. Kelley.

Until he became ill earlier this year, Quinn divided his time between his law office on LaSalle Street and the CTA Headquarters in the Merchandise Mart. A regular CTA commuter, he road a bus and an elevated train between his home at 2013 W. Morse Avenue and the Loop.

Born on the city's West Side, Quinn became acquainted with mass transit by riding horse-drawn streetcars and cable cars.

Quinn was the 50th Ward Alderman for 14 years, and between 1934 and 1945 chaired the Chicago City Council's Local Transportation Committee. He was active in developing the State Street Subway, Chicago's first, in the late 1930s.

He also led a bipartisan effort that resulted in the 1945 Metropolitan Transit Authority Act by the Illinois State Legislature, and the creation of the CTA.

Before his military service during World War I, Quinn was an assistant Cook County state's attorney and law professor at Loyola University.

Survivors include his widow, Helen; a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Bremer; a son, James L.; 15 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Mass will be at noon, Monday at St. Margaret Mary Church, 2324 W. Chase Avenue.