John Patrick Looney

Who was John Patrick Looney?

John Patrick Looney was a gangster in the Rock Island, Illinois area during the early 20th century. He began his career as a successful lawyer, but soon became involved in illegal activity. At the height of his power he controlled much of the gambling, prostitution, illegal liquor and protection rackets in Rock Island. Through control of his newspaper Rock Island News, he was able to blackmail and intimidate his opponents.

Looney's empire came to an end when he was eventually indicted for murder after a gang war in 1922. He went on the run but was captured two years later. In 1925 he was convicted of murder and numerous other crimes. He served only eight and a half years.