Phil Rock, the powerful and respected long-time president of the Illinois State Senate and, for nearly 40 years one of Oak Park’s most notable citizens, has died. He was 78.
Rock, who was born and lived much of his life in the Midway Park section of Austin, represented Oak Park and parts of Chicago’s West Side in the Illinois Senate. Rock was raised in Logan Square.
He served as senate president from 1979 to 1993 and was seen a staunch Democrat who knew how to solve problems.
State Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) tells Wednesday Journal that Rock, his political mentor, died peacefully in his sleep Friday morning. His death follows a long struggle with a brain disorder known as Lewy Bodies Dementia, Harmon said.
Harmon issued a statement, calling Rock “a giant in Illinois politics.”
Rock is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sheila, and his four children, Kathleen (Stephen) Snow, Meghan (Todd) Simmons, Colleen (John) Mueller and John J. “Jay” (Lauren). He also is survived by several grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
The family released a statement today.
“On behalf of the entire Rock family, we sincerely appreciate the kind words, thoughts and prayers on what is a very difficult day for us. Today, a devoted husband, father and grandfather left us for eternal life. We will always remember his unequivocal love and devotion, his wonderful sense of humor and his unwavering commitment to use public service to help those who could not help themselves.”
The family described Rock as “a Catholic, a Democrat and a Cubs fan … but not necessarily in that order.”
He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and then University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. He received a law degree from Loyola University School of Law.
Following law school, Rock served as an assistant attorney general under William G. Clark, a Democrat. In his autobiography, Rock described his introduction to Clark as the beginning of his political life on the West Side.
He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1970. He served 22 years in that position, 14 as Illinois Senate President.
Harmon said in a telephone interview that he considered Rock a mentor and a friend.
“His ability to get things done and his unerring sense of fairness should be the standard to which all of us in politics hold ourselves,” Harmon said in a press release. “I will always be grateful for his kindness, his decency and his sense of duty to encourage young people to engage in politics. He devoted his public life to make Illinois a better and more humane place for all of us, and he succeeded.”
Harmon said Rock moved to Oak Park in 1977, and his children were enrolled at St. Giles School, where Harmon was a student.
“I first knew him as a dad in the neighborhood,” he said.
Rock, a longtime Austin resident, moved his family to Oak Park over concerns for safety after his Midway Park home had been burglarized multiple times, he said in his book.
But his arrival on the far side of Austin Boulevard was not received entirely positively. Independent Oak Park Democrats were highly suspicious of this Machine Democrat from the West Side. It was assumed his move was a calculated effort by the elder Daley to extend Machine influence to Oak Park. It took Rock many years to dissuade some of that fear.
Harmon described Rock as a leader who encouraged young people to get involved in politics.
One of his shining achievements as a lawmaker, Harmon said, was legislation he sponsored to establish a school for the deaf and blind in Glen Ellyn, which was dedicated the Philip J. Rock Center and School in 1988.
“He had a commitment to fairness and protecting people who may not have had a voice in politics,” Harmon said.
He said Rock was a statesman who still casts a tall shadow across the Oak Park political landscape.
“This is my fourteenth year in Springfield, and when they say, ‘the Democratic senator from Oak Park,’ I’m pretty sure they’re still talking about Phil Rock.”
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan also issued a press release Friday, mourning the loss of the former senate president.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Senate President Phil Rock,” Madigan said. “He was a great friend, mentor and member of the General Assembly for many, many years. His accomplishments, especially in the area of bettering the lives of children, are legion. Shirley and I join with his many friends and colleagues in offering sympathy and prayers to Sheila and their children for comfort and strength in these difficult times.”
Following his retirement from the Illinois Senate in 1993, Rock returned to his private law practice with his best friend and law partner Daniel R. Fusco, at Rock Fusco & Connelly, and continued to serve on several boards.
Harmon said he served on the board of the Brookfield Zoo, Misericordia and Loyola University.
Rock’s funeral mass is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams St., Chicago. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to: The Philip J. Rock Center and School, 818 DuPage Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 or Misericordia Home, 6300 North Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660.
CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com