A longtime resident of Greater Chicago, Illinois, James McDonough graduated from the city’s St. Ignatius High School before matriculating at John Carroll University to study business as an ROTC student. After securing his bachelor of science in business administration and serving two years as an Area Transportation Officer in the United States Army, he joined the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) in a supervisory position. James McDonough ultimately became Commissioner of the DSS before serving six years as Chairman of the City Transit Authority. He also headed his own engineering and architectural consulting firm for nearly four decades.

In an effort to give back to the community, Mr. McDonough sat on the Board of Directors for multiple organizations including the Mercy Foundation, the United Way/Crusade of Mercy, and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is also a longtime member of the Boy Scouts of America and served as President of the local area council for two years.