Preceded by Thomas Hynes Preceded by Thomas A. McGloon Spouse(s) Sheila Graber | Succeeded by James "Pate" Philip Political party Democratic Name Philip Rock | |
Succeeded by Howard Carroll (redistricted) Born May 4, 1937 (age 87)
Austin, Chicago, Illinois ( 1937-05-04 ) | ||
Philip J Rock Center and School
Philip J. Rock was 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.
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Early life
Rock was born on May 4, 1937. He was raised in the Logan Square neighborhood. 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 he 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 go work for the Cook County State's Attorney.
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. During his time in the Senate, the Illinois Deaf-Blind Service Center and School was established and the Regional Transportation Authority was created.
In 1977, Rock became President of the Senate where he served for fourteen years.
Life 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.
In 2012, Rock published his autobiography, Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello, co-authored with Ed Wojcicki.