Bernard Epton (August 25, 1921 – December 13, 1987) was an American politician who served in the Illinois House of Representatives. In 1983 he lost a close and contentious election for Mayor of Chicago; he would have become the city's first Jewish mayor, and its first Republican mayor since William "Big Bill" Thompson was defeated in 1931. Epton served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He flew twenty-five missions over Germany and twice earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.