Jim McMillen: Grayslake's Contribution to the Chicago Bears

There is more to McMillen’s story than just a robe.

The Archives of the Grayslake Historical Society furnishes more information: McMillen was born near Grayslake in 1902, his parents having come to the area years before.  He attended a local elementary school and Libertyville High School before graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering. 

While at the U of I, McMillen was captain of  the football team which included Red Grange. He was an All American. From 1924 through 1928,  McMillen played football with George Halas and the Chicago Bears, who were world champions in 1924.

In 1931, he became a vice-president of the Bears organization. He was a professional wrestler from 1924 through 1950. He could have continued with football but wrestling was more lucrative. During World War II McMillen was a lieutenant commander in the U. S. Navy.  

McMillen’s business and civic service began about 1945. His varied roles included:

• Owning a cement products business
• Mayor of Antioch for six years
• Field engineer and then a supervisor of parks and memorials for the Illinois Department of Conservation
• Engineer for the Lake County Forest Preserve
• Member of a Masonic Lodge, Shriners Temple, the American Legion, the Antioch Lions Club and the Lake County Farm Bureau
• Served on the Antioch Fire Department and Rescue Squad, the Antioch High School Board and was a bank director

In his later years and in his private life, McMillen was a gentleman farmer. The robe on display in the sports exhibit was presented to Jim McMillen in May of 1927 in the Coliseum.

Over 140 men from the Grayslake area  each contributed 50¢ to help purchase the velvet robe for their hometown sports hero. It is interesting that the contributors were all male. 

The sports display is open to the public in the , 164 Hawley Street from noon to 4:00 PM on Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free.

- Contributed by the Grayslake Historical Society