John Tillson (October 25, 1825 – August 6, 1892) was an American lawyer, newspaper editor, and politician.
While at Illinois College, he was a founder of Sigma Pi Literary Society.
During the Civil War, he served in the 10th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was commissioned colonel.
In 1873, Tillson was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, as a Republican, succeeding Nehemiah Bushnell who died in office.
In June 1873, Tillson resigned from the Illinois General Assembly when he was appointed Internal Revenue Collector serving until 1881.