John W. Cox, Jr.

Who is John W. Cox, Jr.?

John W. Cox, Jr. is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for one term. From 1991 to 1993 he represented the 16th District of Illinois.

Cox was born in Hazel Green, Wisconsin, and he attended the nearby University of Wisconsin–Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin. He was then educated at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, and was the Jo Daviess County, Illinois State's Attorney and prosecutor, as well as a lawyer in private practice before entering the House.

After the retirement of Republican Lynn Morley Martin, Cox surprisingly won the 16th in 1990. That part of Northern Illinois had not sent a Democrat to the House since the creation of the district. He was defeated for reelection by Don Manzullo, who held the seat until his defeat by fellow Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger for re-nomination in the 2012 Republican primary election held on March 20, 2012, after the decennial re-districting.

Following his term, Cox returned to Galena, Illinois where he continued his private law practice. Since returning to Galena, Cox has also served as City Attorney for the City of Galena, Illinois.