Eco James Coli

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Eco James Coli (February 15, 1922-December 1982) was a Chicago mobster who was both a hitman and enforcer for the Chicago Outfit.

With an arrest record including attempted hijacking, assault and battery and sexual assault charges dating from 1945, Coli was suspected in a string of high profile gangland slayings and identified as working exclusively with the Chicago syndicate on murder contracts along with the leading hitmen of the era including Fiore Buccieri, Sam DeStefano, Jackie "The Lackey" Cerone, William Daddano, Sr., and Marshall Caifano.

During the 1950s, Coli ran into legal trouble being put on one year probation for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and, more seriously, serving 8-10 years imprisonment for armed robbery. However, after serving three years, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered his release in 1955.

Coli was also involved in the Teamsters Union, serving as a secretary-treasurer and business agent for a local Teamsters made up of funeral drivers, directors embalmers and others. Coli again made headlines when, during the 1969 Columbus Day Parade, he was seen marching alongside Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie. Although causing both some embarrassment, neither men claimed to be aware of Coli's criminal background.