James P. McCourt

James. P. McCourt, 84, of North Palm Beach, FL, died May 21 in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center following a stroke. A resident of Evanston for 55 years, he served as an Evanston alderman and state representative before being appointed Associate Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, with chambers in the Second District (Skokie) Courthouse from 1981 until he retired in 1998. Judge McCourt is survived by his wife of 62 years, Charlotte; his four sons, Patrick (Rita) of Evanston, Sean (Jane) of Plymouth, MI, Brian (Bridget) of Arlington Heights and Kevin (Jennifer) of Excelsior, MN; 13 grandchildren; and a sister, Irene (the late William) Ferrick. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald, and his parents James and Irene. He graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grade School, Chicago, and Loyola Academy, then located in Chicago. He attended Notre Dame University for two years before the U.S. Naval Reserve sent him to Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1944 and the DePaul University College of Law in 1953. Judge McCourt taught corporate finance at the University of Notre Dame and at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. After working in Pittsburgh and in St. Paul for U.S. Steel, he returned to Chicago to manage family real estate and practice law. He moved to Evanston in 1949 and became an active member of St. Nicholas Parish, participating in the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus organizations. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston. He was elected 9th Ward Alderman, serving from 1961-73, and was then elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from the 11th District, serving in Springfield from 1973-80. In 1979 Judge McCourt was a founding member of the board of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated June 4 at St. Patrick Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois, 1100 Laramie, Wilmette, IL 60091.(www.chicagobhgh.org)