James Thomas McDermott (February 13, 1872 – February 7, 1938) of Chicago was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois's 4th congressional district, 1907–14, 1915–17.

He was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he attended a Catholic High School.

He was a telegraph operator there for about four years.

In 1889 he moved to Chicago where he become a tobacco retailer.

This article about an Illinois politician is a stub.