Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Igoe was educated in the parochial schools and De La Salle Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1920 he ran for Cook County State's Attorney, winning the Democratic primary against incumbent Maclay Hoyne, but losing the general election to Republican nominee Robert E.

[3] Igoe joined forces with Edward J. Kelly, to lead the South Park Board faction.

[3] The State attorney launched an investigation into the sanitary district and found that the board participated in mismanagement, payroll padding, illegal favors, and nepotism.

[3] The investigation lead to a grand jury indicting T.J. Crowe, James Whalen, and John J. Touhy, and Edward J. Kelly in 1930.

[4] Cermak attempted to pacify Igoe following the sanitary district scandal by having him elected as national committeeman for the Democratic Party in 1930.

[3] Igoe tried to win back control of the sanitary district in early December of 1930 with the help of Whalen and Touhy but failed.