John Patrick Looney

John Patrick Looney (1865–1942) was an American political fixer and Irish mob boss based in Rock Island, Illinois during the early 20th century.

At the height of his power, Looney controlled most of the illegal gambling, prostitution, bootlegging, and racketeering in Rock Island.

Looney is the inspiration for the character of John Rooney, who was played by Paul Newman in the Sam Mendes film Road to Perdition.

Furthermore, Looney's family house still survives in the Highland Park Historic District in Rock Island.

Looney attributed his loss at the election to the Rock Island Argus, which wrote many negative opinion articles on him.

[5] After purchasing the building, John brought his brothers William (Bill) and Jeremiah (Jerry) to Rock Island from Ottawa to help him run the paper.

The first fire on November 2 caused $32,000 worth of damage to the building, destroying the Mirror Saloon, run by Dan Drost.

When Looney began publishing his newspaper again for the first time on February 6, 1909, he personally attacked Wilmerton and his family on the front page.

Near the Safety on 3rd Avenue and 18th Street in Rock Island Illinois[7] Looney was shot in the side, but he was not seriously injured.

[8] The "Bel-Aire" house at which this gunfight occurred can be viewed just slightly west of 30th street in Rock Island on River Heights Road.

After Schriver refused, Looney published an article on the front page of his paper accusing him of having an affair in Peoria.

[11] The riots prompted Governor Charles Deneen to declare martial law in Rock Island and ordered the National Guard to the city.

[2] In 1922, before a national convention of the fremasonic Grotto, Looney's thugs provided – i.e. sold – protection for law violators.

Prohibition agents, following up on raids made during the convention met with William Gabel, who provided them with canceled checks endorsed by John Looney.

The gang war ended on October 6, 1922, when Looney and his son Connor were talking in their car in Market Square.