Philip J. Rock (1937-2016)
As a member of the Illinois State Senate for 22 years, of which 14 he was President of the Senate, Senator Rock was responsible for a wide range of progressive public policies on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois. His distinguished legislative career included the successful enactment of over 450 new laws ranging from the original Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act; mandatory insurance coverage for newborn children; the State’s I SEARCH (missing children’s) law; and the successful Illinois Tax Amnesty program.
One such bill, passed in 1976 and for which he was especially proud, created the Illinois Deaf-Blind Service Center that opened its doors in 1978. In 1980, the center was relocated to property purchased by the State of Illinois in Glen Ellyn. In 1988, Governor Thompson and the Illinois General Assembly honored Senator Rock by naming the school in his honor, the Philip J. Rock Center and School.
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1964
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1964
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1964
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1964
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1964
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1967
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois J.D. Honors: Cum Laude
- St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois B.A. Honors: Cum Laude Major: Philosophy
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Illinois Board of Higher Education, 1997 – 2002 Chairman
Past Employment Positions
- Rock Fusco & Garvey, President, Senior Partner, 1993 – 2005
- State of Illinois, State Senator, Senate President, 1971 – 1993
Pro Bono Activities
- Chair, Equal Justice Illinois Committee, 2002
- Chair, Lawyers Trust Fund, 1986 – 1992
