Philip J. Rock
Philip J. Rock | |
---|---|
President of the Illinois Senate | |
In office January 1979 – January 1993 |
|
Preceded by | Thomas Hynes |
Succeeded by | James "Pate" Philip |
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 18th district | |
In office January 1971 – January 1993 |
|
Preceded by | Thomas A. McGloon |
Succeeded by | Howard W. Carroll (redistricted) |
Personal details | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
May 4, 1937
Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Sheila Graber |
Children | 4 |
Residence | Chicago, Illinois (1937-1977) Oak Park, Illinois (1977-2016) |
Alma mater | University of Saint Mary of the Lake Loyola University |
Profession | Attorney |
Religion | Catholic |
Philip J. Rock (May 4, 1937 – January 29, 2016) was an American politician, and a long time Democratic member of the Illinois Senate who represented parts of the West Side of Chicago and Oak Park. During his time in the Senate, he became the longest serving President of the Illinois Senate with a fourteen-year tenure serving from 1979 to 1993.[1]
Contents
Early life
Rock was born on May 4, 1937 and raised in Logan Square, Chicago. He received both his bachelor's degree in philosophy and his master's degree in theology from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, and in 1964 graduated from Loyola University School of Law. He served as an Assistant Attorney General under William G. Clark from 1965 until 1969 when he went to work for the Cook County State's Attorney.[2][3]
Senate
Rock was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1970 to succeed Thomas A. McGloon, who ran for and won a judgeship. After one term, he was named assistant minority leader and after the Democrats won back the Senate during a Democratic wave year in 1974, assistant majority leader.[4] During his time in the Senate, the Illinois Deaf-Blind Service Center and School was established and the Regional Transportation Authority was created.[2][5]
In 1979, Rock became President of the Illinois State Senate.[6]
After politics
In 1996, Rock was appointed to the Illinois Board of Higher Education and became its Chair in April 1999. He stepped down from the board in April 2002.[7]
In 2012, Rock published his autobiography, Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello, co-authored with Ed Wojcicki. On January 29, 2016, he died at the age of 78.[8] At the time of his death, he had Lewy body dementia.[9]
References
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- ↑ "Biographical Sketch of Philip J. Rock", Illinois Blue Book 1991-1992, pg. 75
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- ↑ 'Illinois Blue Book 1979-1980,' Office of the President Senate, pg. 60-61
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- 1937 births
- 2016 deaths
- American people of Irish descent
- Illinois State Senators
- Politicians from Cook County, Illinois
- University of Saint Mary of the Lake alumni
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law alumni
- Illinois Democrats
- Illinois lawyers
- Writers from Chicago, Illinois
- Disease-related deaths in Illinois
- Deaths from dementia with Lewy bodies
- Illinois politician stubs