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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER ILLINOIS SENATE PRESIDENT PHILIP J. ROCK
WHEREAS, God, in his almighty wisdom, saw fit to call Philip J. Rock from our midst on January 28, 2016, at the age of 78; and,
WHEREAS, Philip J. “Phil” Rock was born "a Catholic, a Democrat and a Cubs fan-but not necessarily in that order" on May 4, 1937, to the late Joseph and Kathryn Rock in Chicago, Illinois; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary followed by the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, following his graduation from law school, Phil Rock began his legal career with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General as an Assistant Attorney General, working under the Honorable William G. Clark, and then for the Cook County State's Attorney as an Assistant State's Attorney; and,
WHEREAS, in 1970, Phil Rock was elected to the Illinois State Senate where he proudly served for twenty two years, the last fourteen of which were as President of the Senate; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock, the legislator, was a champion for the voiceless and the powerless, and this commitment to serving the downtrodden earned him a reputation among his colleagues as a true public servant and statesman; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock was most proud of the legislation that he sponsored to establish a school for the deaf and blind that is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and was dedicated in 1988 as the Philip J. Rock Center and School; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock was respected and admired by members of the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle and had a positive influence on the lives of the many people who served on his legislative staff; and,
WHEREAS, following his retirement from the Illinois General Assembly, Phil Rock returned to his private law practice with his best friend and law partner, Daniel R. Fusco, at Rock, Fusco & Connelly, LLC in Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock was a member of many professional and community organizations and served on numerous charitable and philanthropic boards; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-one years, Sheila, as well as his children, Kathleen (Stephen) Snow, Meghan (Todd) Simmons, Colleen (John) Mueller, and John J. “Jay” (Lauren); and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock was most proud to be a “Papa” to his grandchildren: Emily, Erin, Lily and Ellie Snow; Kyleigh, Connor and Maggie Simmons; Jack, Owen and Kate Mueller; and, Julia and Sarah Rock; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock was the fond brother of Michael, as well as an uncle to numerous nieces and nephews; and,
WHEREAS, Phil Rock exemplified the very best in public service and citizenship, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him and were touched by his many acts of kindness and decency in public office and in private life;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners and the President of the Cook County Board, that the condolences of this body are extended to the family, friends and colleagues of Philip J. Rock; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the profound gratitude of the Board of Commissioners and the President of the Cook County Board is to be extended to Phil Rock for his many years of public service to the State of Illinois.
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