James R. Washburn (April 25, 1921 – August 8, 2007) was an American politician.

Biography

Washburn was born in Morris, Illinois on April 25, 1921. During World War II he served as a pilot in the United States Marine Corps. He went to North Central College and University of Illinois. In 1946, Washburn became the youngest countywide official in the county's history when he was elected the County Treasurer for Grundy County, Illinois. After his term as County Treasurer, he held positions with the Office of the Illinois State Superintendent, the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, and the Office of the Governor of Illinois. Washburn, a Republican, was elected to the

Illinois House of Representatives The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The House under the current constitution as amended in 1980 consists of 118 re ...

in 1966. From 1967 to 1977, Washburn served in the

and he was the House Minority Leader in 1975.'Illinois Blue Book 1975-1976, Biographical Sketch of James R. Washburn, pg. 157 In 1976, Washburn ran for the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 15th congressional district. He lost the five-way Republican primary to Tom Corcoran, who would go on to beat Democratic incumbent

Tim Lee Hall Tim Lee Hall (June 11, 1925 – November 12, 2008) was an American politician and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois for one term from 1975 to 1977. Early life and career Born in West Frankfort, Illin ...

. Washburn served as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1981, he was elected the first full-time mayor of Morris, Illinois. He served for three terms before losing reelection in 1993. Washburn died in Morris, Illinois on August 8, 2007. The airport in Morris, IL is named in his honor.

Notes

1921 births 2007 deaths People from Morris, Illinois North Central College alumni County officials in Illinois Mayors of places in Illinois Republican Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives 20th-century American politicians United States Marine Corps pilots of World War II Military personnel from Illinois {{Illinois-Ilrepresentative-stub