IL HR0844

Illinois House of Representatives mourns the death of Bob Chinn, who passed away in April 2022 at age 99 after being born in Duluth, Minnesota on March 2, 1923.

Chinn served in the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the 46th Field Artillery Battalion in Northern Ireland for three years before becoming a restaurateur.

Opened Bob Chinn's Crab House on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling on December 23, 1982, which became his 14th and most successful restaurant, eventually expanding to 700 seats and serving 2,500 meals daily with a 300-person staff.

Bob Chinn's Crab House was named the top grossing restaurant in America by Forbes magazine in August 2012 with an estimated $24 million in annual revenue.

Chinn is survived by his brother Howard, daughter Marilyn Chinn LeTourneau, son Michael Chinn, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren; he was preceded in death by his wife Jean of 62 years and daughter Barbara.