John M. Bolton

Bolton was born in Chicago and attended Chicago public schools.^[1] He was in the floral business and insurance business.^[1] A Democrat, he was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the Second District, in the fall of 1930, taking office in early 1931.^[2][3] He was re-elected in 1932,^[4] and in 1934 (unopposed).^[5][1]

Bolton was shot to death following a car chase in Chicago shortly after midnight on July 9, 1936.^[6] The Associated Press reported that he may have been assassinated by organized crime figures due to his efforts to legalize some forms of betting,^[6] and the Chicago Tribune attributed his death to "gangsters" in a page-one story.^[7] The Tribune also published photos of Bolton's car, which had crashed at Washtenaw Avenue and Harrison Street, and noted that Bolton had a brother who had been a prohibition gangster.^[8] A follow-up story by the United Press reported that Bolton may have been killed because he was unsuccessful in helping some prisoners in the Joliet Penitentiary get parole.^[9] Bolton was buried at All Saints Cemetery in Chicago.^[10] His assailants were not caught and remain unknown.

Chicago Outfit racketeer Fred Smith later informed the FBI that Sam Giancana personally killed Bolton.^[11]

Bolton was married and had two foster children at the time of his death.^[6]