James (Jim) Johnson was born in Berwyn, Illinois, attended Morton West High School, was involved in Scouting as a youth, attained the rank of Eagle Scout and is past Scoutmaster of Troop 12 in Decatur. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Knox College where he was president of his senior class and captain of the swimming team. He later received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Jim is a member of the Decatur Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Association. He serves as Village Attorney for the towns of Harristown and Niantic and as attorney for the Mt. Zion Fire Protection District. He came to Decatur as a Vista (Volunteer in Service to America). He received the Pro Bono award by the Decatur Bar Association. Jim is a past president of Youth Advocate Program, Inc., and belongs to and volunteers for numerous civic organizations.
Jim was married to Carolyn Mason, deceased, and has four children who attended MacArthur High School. He is an active bicyclist and member of the Decatur Bicycle Club. In 2010, Jim bicycled from St. Augustine, Florida, to San Diego, California. Jim has backpacked more than 1500 miles of the Appalachian Trial. Gardening, sailing and cross country skiing are some of his other regular activities.