Born in Chicago, Illinois, Loftus served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
Loftus then received his Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School in 1955 and was admitted to the Illinois bar.
In the 1964 general election, Loftus was the Democratic candidate for DuPage County State's Attorney.
In the Democratic wave year, he held future Senate President Pate Philip to the lowest win margin of his political career.
[4] Loftus was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives in January 1982 to succeed former Speaker and his law partner William A.