John Maynard Harlan (1864–1934) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Chicago City Council.

[2] While, in his early political career, Harlan had established himself as an opponent of the city's traction interests, he would ultimately represent them after financial strains took a toll on his legal firm, and after he had mellowed his political stance towards these interests and other lucrative clients.

[10] While Harlan had achieved prominence and had become well-connected, he lacked much financial success, and would ultimately die in poverty.

[1] During his time involved in Chicago politics, he became regarded as an expert on the city's traction issue.

[7] As an alderman, he was responsible for the "Harlan Report", a well-founded assessment of legal matters associated with public transit.

[7][11] On June 21, 1897, only twelve days after Governor John Riley Tanner signed the Allen Law, Harlan introduced the so-called "Harlan resolution" to the Chicago City Council, which would appoint a committee to investigate the traction issue and the conditions of the street railways.

[14] After Hanecy won the nomination, there were unsuccessful efforts to draft Harlan into making an independent run in the general election.

[7] By the time of the 1905 election, Harlan's position on the traction issue, including his stance on municipal ownership, had significantly weakened.

Harlan died March 23, 1934, at his residence in Manhattan in New York City after suffering from a long illness.