Hubert J. Loftus

Bud Loftus
Member of the
Illinois House of Representatives
from the 40th district
In office
January 1982 (1982-Jan) – January 1983 (1983-Jan)
Preceded byWilliam A. Redmond
Succeeded byDistrict Abolished
Personal details
Born(1924-09-29)September 29, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, US
DiedMay 27, 1995(1995-05-27) (aged 70)
Addison, Illinois, US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMargaret Mary Robinson
Children9
Residence(s)Addison, Illinois, US
Alma materSouthern Illinois University (B.A., M.A.)
John Marshall Law School (J.D.)
ProfessionAttorney
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1942-1946
UnitUnited States Army Air Corps

Hubert J. "Bud" Loftus (September 29, 1924 – May 24, 1995) was an American lawyer and politician.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Loftus served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Illinois University. Loftus then received his Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School in 1955 and was admitted to the Illinois bar. In 1957, Loftus moved to Addison, Illinois and joined Bill Redmond's law firm which grew into Loftus, Riggs, Redmond and Duff, Ltd. During his legal career, he worked as the city attorney for Addison and Oakbrook Terrace, attorney for the Addison Park District, and as a special assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois.[1][2]

Loftus joined the local Democratic Party serving as Vice Chair of the DuPage County Democratic Party and as Chairman of the Addison Township Democratic Organization. In the 1964 general election, Loftus was the Democratic candidate for DuPage County State's Attorney. In 1966, he ran for the Illinois House of Representatives, winning the Democratic primary, but finishing fourth of fourth for the three seats.[3] In 1974, he ran for the state senate seat being vacated by Jack T. Knuepfer. In the Democratic wave year, he held future Senate President Pate Philip to the lowest win margin of his political career. Loftus was a delegate for Jimmy Carter during the 1980 Democratic primary and hosted Carter at his Addison home in October.[4]

Loftus was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives in January 1982 to succeed former Speaker and his law partner William A. Redmond.[5] He lost in the new, heavily Republican single member district to Lee A. Daniels. Prior to the Cutback Amendment, Democrats in DuPage County had previously been able to win one of a House district's three seats due to cumulative voting in multi-member districts.

In 1986, Loftus was one of three candidates found highly qualified by the DuPage County Bar Association, but was not selected for one of three associate judgeship vacancies.[6]

Loftus died at his home in Addison, Illinois on May 26, 1995.[7]

  1. ^ "Biographical Sketch of Hubert J. "Bub" Loftus". Illinois Blue Book 1981-1982. p. 1949.
  2. ^ "1971 Directory". Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  3. ^ Yuenger, James (October 23, 1966). "37th House Campaign Dangles on Experience". Chicago Tribune. p. S3 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ "Daily Diary of President Jimmy Carter October 6, 1980" (PDF). Jimmy Carter Library and Museum. October 6, 1980. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Reardon, Patrick (October 21, 1982). "Veterans vie for House seat in new district". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois.
  6. ^ Hardy, Thomas (June 24, 1986). "Democrat A Top Judge Candidate". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  7. ^ Heise, Kenan (May 27, 1995). "Ex-attorney, Lawmaker Hubert J. "Bud" Loftus". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved April 23, 2017.