Edward J. Barrett (politician)

Not to be confused with Edward J. Barrett.

Edward J. Barrett
Official portrait, circa 1945
16th Cook County Clerk
In office 1955–1973
Preceded by	Richard J. Daley
Succeeded by	Stanley Kusper
28th Illinois Secretary of State
In office 1945–1953
Governor	Dwight H. Green Adlai Stevenson II
Preceded by	Richard Yates Rowe
Succeeded by	Charles F. Carpentier
18th Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts
In office 1933–1941
Preceded by	Oscar Nelson
Succeeded by	Arthur C. Lueder
46th Illinois Treasurer
In office 1931–1933
Governor	Louis L. Emmerson Henry Horner
Preceded by	Omer N. Custer
Succeeded by	John C. Martin
Personal details
Born	(1900-03-10)March 10, 1900 Chicago, Illinois
Died	April 4, 1977(1977-04-04) (aged 77) Veterans Administration Hospital Lakeside, Chicago, Illinois
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Mayo College of Commerce
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Army
Years of service	1917–1920
Battles/wars	World War I

Edward J. Barrett (March 10, 1900 – April 4, 1977) was an American politician.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Barrett served in the United States Army during World War I in Europe from 1917 to 1920. He then went to Spaulding Institute and then received his bachelor's degree from Mayo College of Commerce. He worked in advertising and sales and was involved in organized labor in Chicago.

In 1932, he was elected Illinois Treasurer as a Democrat. In 1934, Barrett was elected Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts and served until 1940.

In 1941, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as Sergeant in the South Pacific during World War II.

In 1942, he ran unsuccessfully for Illinois Treasurer. In 1944, Barrett was elected Illinois Secretary of State. Reelected in 1948, he served until after his defeat in 1952.

In 1955, Barrett was appointed Cook County Clerk to replace Richard J. Daley who was elected Mayor of Chicago. Barrett served until 1973, when he was convicted of bribery, mail fraud, and income tax evasion. He was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $15,000, but was allowed house arrest because of ill health. Barrett died at Veterans Administration Hospital Lakeside, in Chicago, Illinois at age 77.