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James 'Pate' Philip - Legislators Project
James 'Pate' Philip served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1966 to 1974, and in the Illinois Senate from 1975 to 2002, when he retired. Senator Philip hailed from the Republican stronghold of DuPage County, and for most of his years in the Senate (1981-2002) he served as the leader of the Republican caucus. In 1993, after the Republicans won control of state redistricting, he became Senate President. During his tenure as the Republican leader, Philip developed a reputation for being a 'straight-talking Marine.' He consistently fought for fiscal responsibility, was a traditional conservative on such issues as the Equal Rights Amendment, gun control, crime and the death penalty, and was a strong advocate for the interests of the Chicago suburbs and downstate. Also present during the interview was Carter Hendren, Senator Philip's chief of staff during his long tenure in the Senate.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Politically Correct
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early years through Philip’s election to IL House in 1966
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Career in the Illinois State Senate from 1976 to 2003
Transcript
Related Materials
See also
Carter Hendren's interview, part of the Gov. Jim Edgar collection.
Photos
Caption
Elmer Hoffman, “Pate” Philip, Senator Everett Dirksen, Clifford Carney, and Peter Zelkoff gather at an event to honor Senator Dirksen, in the early 1960s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Early 1960s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Elmer Hoffman, “Pate” Philip, Senator Everett Dirksen, Clifford Carney, and Peter Zelkoff gather at an event to honor Senator Dirksen, in the early 1960s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Early 1960s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
State Representative James ‘Pate’ Philip rides in a parade in Elmhurst, Illinois while running for reelection in 1970. Pate’s son Jase is along for the ride. (Narrator’s photo)
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Unknown
Caption
Senator James “Pate” Philip’s official photo circa the late 1970s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa the late 1970s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
James “Pate” Philip rides in a parade in Addison, Illinois as he runs for election to the State Senate in 1974.
Where:
Addison, Illinois
When:
1974
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
“Pate” Philip with his two running mates, Gene Hoffman and Lee Daniels in 1974, the first year Pate ran for the State Senate.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1974
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
President Ford shakes hands with ‘Pate’ in 1976 during Ford’s run for reelection at an event at Wheaton College. On the left is Vern McCarthy.
Where:
Wheaton College
When:
1976
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Jim Thompson and ‘Pate’ Philip talk in 1978 during Illinois’s fall campaign season. Their buttons read “Help Pass The Thompson Proposition”. Governor Thompson had proposed putting a lid on state taxes and spending as part of his campaign.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1978
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip passes out campaign material in Elmhurst during the race in 1978. Gene Hoffman and Lee Daniels were the two Republican Illinois house candidates in Philip’s senatorial district who were also up for reelection.
Where:
Elmhurst
When:
1978
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip, his wife Nancy, and John Connally at a Republican Day event, circa 1980. Connally, a Republican, ran for president in 1980.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1980
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Philip speaks at a fundraiser in 1980, where President Ronald Reagan was also honored. The event was at the ‘Reagan Country Roundup’ at the DuPage County Fair.
Where:
DuPage County Fair
When:
1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Governor Thompson, Senator Philip, and his wife Nancy standing with Ronald Reagan at rally at the College of DuPage in the 1980s.
Where:
College of DuPage
When:
Circa 1980's
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
“Pate” Philip posing with his wife Nancy at his fundraiser in the early 1980s. Note the Illini ‘I’ and the pants, and the cigar, one of Pate’s trademarks.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Early 1980s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip and Nancy Philip join Jack Kemp at a fundraiser in the early 1980s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Early 1980s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip and wife Nancy with Jim Thompson and his wife Jayne in the early 1980s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Early 1980s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Governor Jim Thompson, Vice President Bush, and Senator Philip visit a state park in the mid 1980s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Mid 1980s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
James “Pate” Philip’s official photograph during the 1980s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1980s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip and his supporters, wearing t-shirts printed with the slogan “I’m for Senator ‘Pate’ Philip,” get ready for a parade in Bensenville circa the late 1980s.
Where:
Bensenville, Illinois
When:
Circa the late 1980s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
“Pate Philip, Dick Duchossois (owner of Arlington Park racetrack), his son Greg, Jim Thompson, and a Bill Clinton look-alike at “Pate’s Pig Roast” at the Duchossois farm in the late 1980s.
Where:
Duchossois farm
When:
Late 1980s.
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator and Mrs. Philip join Governor James and Mrs. Jayne Thompson, Nancy Philip; enjoy an event at the U.S. Embassy Party in London in September 1981.
Where:
U.S. Embassy Party in London
When:
September 1981
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip at a fundraiser for Reagan standing with Governor Jim Thompson and Frank Sinatra circa 1982.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1982
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo)
Caption
Senator Philip rides with his fellow Shriners in a parade in Elmhurst, Illinois, circa 1982.
Where:
Elmhurst, Illinois
When:
Circa 1982
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
A Chicago Heights Star political cartoon made light of Senator Philip’s opposition to Governor Thompson’s tax package. May 26, 1983.
Where:
Chicago Heights
When:
May 26, 1983.
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Photo from a newspaper article of Illinois state senators Philip, Roger Keats, and Robert Egan with their wives during a trip to South Africa in early 1983.
Where:
South Africa
When:
Early 1983
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Senate Minority Leader “Pate” Philip shaking hands with Texas Governor George W. Bush in 1984.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1984
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Thompson joins Senator Keats and Philip at the Great Wall of China in March, 1985.
Where:
Great Wall of China
When:
March, 1985
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Thompson, Senator “Pate” Philip, and his wife Nancy in China in March, 1985.
Where:
China
When:
March, 1985
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Secretary of State George Ryan, Senator “Pate” Philip, and Nancy Philip with a Taiwanese official during a visit to that country in July 1987.
Where:
Taiwan
When:
July 1987
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip and Lee Daniels meet with Barbara Bush during George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 1988.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
In 1988, Senator Philip visits with workers of the I-355 Veterans Memorial Tollway, then under construction. Philip was a strong advocate for the north-south interstate, designed to improve the infrastructure for the western suburbs.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Presidential candidate Jack Kemp meets with Illinois State Senators John Maitland, Frank Watson and “Pate” Philip during the lead-up to the Republican primary in 1988.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator “Pate” Philip, Jim Thompson, and George H.W. Bush at a DuPage fund raiser, circa 1988-1992.
Where:
DuPage
When:
Circa 1988-1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip and Senator Bob Kustra with Mrs. Barbara Bush at the DuPage Court House, circa 1988-1992.
Where:
DuPage Court House
When:
Circa 1988-1992
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip and his wife Nancy stand in front of a church during their official visit to the Soviet Union in April, 1989.
Where:
Soviet Union
When:
April, 1989
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Nancy, Pate, and Governor Thompson, Senator Philip, and Nancy Philip enjoyed shopping in the Soviet Union during their visit in 1989. They are checking out a collection of Russian nested dolls, or matryoshkas.
Where:
Soviet Union
When:
1989
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip and Governor Thompson discuss the opening of a trade office in the Soviet Union in 1989. The communist country was a big customer of Illinois agricultural products.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1989
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip chats with Secretary of State Jim Edgar and Governor Thompson, circa 1990.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1990
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Emil Jones, Governor Jim Thompson, Lieutenant Governor George Ryan, ‘Pate’ and House Minority Leader Lee Daniels gather in the Governor’s office for a leadership meeting, circa 1990.
Where:
Governor’s office
When:
Circa 1990
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip meets with a group of Republican women and constituents at a coffee in Wood Dale during the 1990s.
Where:
Wood Dale, Illinois
When:
1990s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senate President Philip signing bills his Capitol building office in the early 1990s.
Where:
Capitol building office-Springfield, Illinois
When:
Early 1990s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip receiving plaque from Pat Durante and Congressman Henry Hyde, circa late 1990s. Durante was an Addison Township committeeman and an aid to Congressman Hyde.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa late 1990s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip stands with a runway of O’Hare Airport behind him, during the O’Hare expansion project in the 1990s. Philip and other DuPage County representatives often fought to limit the growth of the airport, then the busiest in the world.
Where:
O’Hare Airport, Chicago, Illinois
When:
1990s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip enjoys a moment with his son Jase who worked as page in the Senate, circa the 1990s.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa the 1990s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip, on the right, joins fellow Medinah, Illinois Shriners in the mid-1990s as they raised funds for the Salvation Army. Next to him is Lee Daniels of Elmhurst, who served as the Speaker of the Illinois House in 1995 and 1996.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Mid-1990s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senate President Philip ‘working the phone’ in his capitol building office in the 1990s.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1990s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The statehouse media in Philip’s office sometime in the 1990s. Also at the table are Senator Laura Kent Donahue of Adams County and Senator Frank Watson of Greenville.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1990s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate Philip” celebrates the Marine Corps’ birthday with a group of fellow Marines sometime in the 1990s. A Marine’s pride in service is evident every December 10th.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1990s
Ownership:
Narrator’s pho
Caption
Senator Philip, House Speaker Mike Madigan, Jak Tichenor and Bruce Dumont prepare for a WTTW Illinois Lawmakers television interview in the 1990s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1990s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip and former Governor Jim Thompson at Chicago Cubs’ 1991 home opener.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip with Governor Thompson at the opening day of the new stadium for the Chicago White Sox in April, 1991.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
April, 1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator James “Pate” Philip and his wife Nancy flank George H.W. Bush during a Bush fund raiser in 1992.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1992
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip meets President George H.W. while Bush was running for reelection in 1992. In the background is Gwen Klingler, representative from Springfield.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1992
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip greets a Du Page County Sherriff Department officer while campaigning, circa 1992.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Lee Daniels and “Pate” Philip in a photo used for the cover of the Chicago Tribune Magazine on August 16, 1992. Both men hailed from the Republican powerhouse of DuPage County. Daniels was the Republican leader in the Illinois House.
Where:
Chicago Tribune Magazine, Chicago, Illinois
When:
August 16, 1992
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Senator Philip with Governor Jim Edgar and Minority Leader Lee Daniels at the signing event for the Governor’s Property Tax Cap legislation, which passed in 1991. The photo appeared in the August 16, 1992 edition of the Chicago Tribune Magazine.
Where:
Addison, Illinois
When:
August 16, 1992
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
In October, 1992, ‘Pate’ and constituents discuss local issues during Senator Philip’s reelection campaign. The Republicans secured a majority in the Senate after the election, making Philip the Senate President.
Where:
Unknown
When:
October, 1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Chicago Sun Times cartoonist Jack Higgins lampoons both Senator Philip and Mayor Richard M. Daley over the perennial dispute over a third airport for Chicago.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
1992
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Senator Philip campaigns for reelection in his DuPage County district in Wood Dale, Illinois in 1992.
Where:
Wood Dale, Illinois
When:
1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This group gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new bridge. From left to right are Governor Thompson, “Pate” Philip, Vince DeMuzio, John Kramer, a Pike County hunter, Jim Reilly and Kenny Boyle, a public defender for the appellate court.
Where:
Detroit, Illinois (Pike County)
When:
1993
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip addresses the audience at a fund-raiser circa 1993. With him are Representatives Kay Wojcik of Schaumburg, Illinois and Lee Daniels of Elmhurst.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1993
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator President Philip addresses the Illinois State Senate, circa 1993. In the background are Glen Hodas and Jim Owens, Senate Republican staffers, as well as Kathy Parker and David Barkhausen on the right.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1993
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator Philip addresses the press at an impromptu event in the State Capitol, circa 1993.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1993
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senate President James “Pate” Philip’s 1993 leadership team. From left to right are Aldo DeAngelis, Adeline Geo-Karis, Stanley Weaver, Senator Philip, Laura Kent Donahue, Frank Watson, John Maitland and Walter Dudycz.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1993
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
James “Pate” Philip presides for the first time as President of the Senate in 1993, surrounded by family, friends and supporters.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1993
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senate President “Pate” Philip’s leadership team in 1997. From left to right in the back are Walter Dudycz, Frank Watson, Stanley Weaver, Ed Petka, Doris Karpiel and John Maitland. In front are Adeline Geo-Karis, Senator Philip and Laura Kent Donahue.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1997
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The 1997 Senate Republican caucus members, with President Philip in the Senate chamber.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1997
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Nancy & Senator “Pate” Philip with their children and grandchildren on the floor of the Senate during a swearing in late 1990s/early 2000s.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
late 1990s/early 2000s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The ‘Four Tops’, Sen. Minority Leader Emil Jones, House Speaker Mike Madigan, Sen. President Philip and House Minority Leader Lee Daniels meet with Rick Richards, Military Order of the Purple Heart and John Johnston, Director of Veteran Affairs.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa early 2000s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The Republican Leadership and Senator Philip celebrate the earliest adjournment in Illinois history, April 15, 2000.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 15, 2000
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“Pate” Philip with his son and grandson in front of his portrait, which hangs in Capitol building in the late 2000s.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Late 2000s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
From left to right are Tom Taylor, Patty Schuh, Chief of Staff Carter Hendren, Glen Hodas, Senator Philip, Jim Harry, Mayebeth Hadfield and Mike Bass.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 15, 2000
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.)
Caption
Senator Philip with his supporters at an Addison parade circa 2001.
Where:
Addison, Illinois
When:
Circa 2001
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator “Pate” Philip riding in an Addison, Illinois parade on August 26, 2001.
Where:
Addison, Illinois
When:
August 26, 2001
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Congressman Henry Hyde and “Pate” Philip ride in a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Elmhurst in 2003, with Philip’s wife Patty driving.
Where:
Elmhurst, Illinois
When:
2003
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Mayors Karen Hasara, Springfield, and Richard M. Daley, Chicago, meet with Senate President Philip and Lieutenant Governor Corrine Wood in the Capitol building, circa 2000.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 2000
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Senator and Mrs. Philip (on the flanks) share a moment in front the Senator’s portrait with two of their granddaughters, and daughter Cindi with her husband Mark Wallace.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Senator Philip presides over the Illinois State Senate in the early 1990s. He became Senate President in 1993, following a 1991 legislative redistricting that the Republicans controlled.
Where:
Illinois State Senate, Springfield, Illinois
When:
Early 1990s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.