John Charles Haines (May 26, 1818 – July 4, 1896) served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1858–1860) for the Democratic Party.

[7][8] He was elected mayor in 1858 as a Republican, defeating Democrat Daniel Brainard with 54% of the vote.

[9] He successfully ran for re-election the following year against Marcus D. Gilman, winning with about 53% of the vote.

After he left the State Senate, he retired from public life near Waukegan, Illinois, where he owned a small farm.

[11] An elementary school, consisting of grades Pre-K to 8th, has been named after John Charles Haines.