Jim Colosimo
Big Jim Colosimo began as a street sweeper, going on to marry a brother owner in 1907, and become a Democratic precinct captain of the Levee. Running several whorehouses and active as a white slaver, Colosimo averaged $50,000 a month while on top of the game.1
A very showy man, Colosimo was most proud of "Colosimo's Cafe" at 2121 S. Wabash - it was the place to go when big names decided to go slumming. His lifestyle would catch up with him on May 11, 1920, when he was murdered by a gunman. Going out in style, his funeral had over 5,000 mourners.2
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