JIM DURKIN
Partner

Jim Durkin is an attorney in Croke Fairchild’s Public Finance and Government Affairs & Regulatory Law practice groups.

Jim advises local governments on economic development and public finance matters. He is also an experienced commercial litigator and conducts internal investigations for private and public entities.

Jim previously served as an assistant Illinois attorney general and as an assistant Cook County state’s attorney, serving as a felony trial prosecutor and as a special prosecutor in the Narcotics Bureau. In 2002, he was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate for the state of Illinois. From 2013 to 2023, he was the minority leader in the Illinois House of Representatives. In December 2008, Jim served as the ranking Republican for the Illinois House of Representatives Impeachment Committee regarding Governor Blagojevich. In 2012, Jim served as Illinois House of Representatives manager for the removal of Rep. Derrick Smith from the Illinois House of Representatives, following Smith’s federal bribery indictment.

Jim has been active in Illinois state politics for more than 25 years, having served as state representative in the Illinois House of Representatives first for the 44th District and the 82nd District. He was also the Illinois chair for the late Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2008.

Amongst his many accomplishments, Jim passed a first of its kind law in the United States, which bans the use of deception during interrogations of juvenile defendants. Jim negotiated the final form of this law with the Northwestern University Center on Wrongful Convictions and the University of Illinois Innocence Project. Jim’s efforts were reflected in his receiving the 2021 Defender of the Innocent Award.

Jim was also able to negotiate insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors and lifting the cap on blood sugar test strip for low-income Medicaid residents. This process took place outside of the legislative arena through negotiations with the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services.

In 2021, Jim worked in a bi-partisan manner to negotiate and pass Governor J.B. Pritzker’s first budget and the largest public works program in Illinois history.

Jim serves on various boards for Misericordia-Heart of Mercy Home, Giant Steps School for Autism, and JDRF Illinois. He is a member of the 100 Club of Chicago, which supports the families of fallen first responders. He is also a former member of the John Marshall Law School Board of Trustees and the Chicago Bar Association Board of Managers.