John F. Wall, 80, alderman of the 11th Ward from 1947 to 1951, former 11th Ward Republican committeeman and an Illinois state legislator representing the 23rd Legislative District for seven terms, died Wednesday at the Americana Nursing Home in Oak Lawn. Mr. Wall was the alderman representing the Bridgeport neighborhood just before the late Mayor Richard J. Daley strengthened the Democratic hold on the area. Mr. Wall became the Republican ward committeeman in 1952. He was in the state legislature from the early 1960s through the late 1970s. While there, he was chairman of the House Committee on Registration and Regulation. He was convicted in 1978 of conspiring to extort $2,000 in exchange for help in trying to pass a law benefitting private employment agencies. Mr. Wall also was former owner of Archer-Loomis Recreation, a bowling alley. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; two sons, Gerald and Thomas; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters; and a brother. Mass will be said for Mr. Wall at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Barbara Catholic Church, 2859 S. Throop St.
