Former Senate President Phil Rock has passed away.

The Chicago Democrat led the chamber for 14 years, longer than any other Senate President. Rock has long been remembered for bipartisanship. He's remembered fondly by longtime Statehouse reporter, author and former Illinois Coal Association President Taylor Pensoneau.

[audio:13016100554-rock3.mp3] [/audio]

Rock was so respected by the other side of the aisle, that former Governor Jim Thompson named a Glen Ellyn facility for the deaf and blind after Rock. He had been a strong advocate for that community for years. Rock battled Lewy body dementia. He retired from the Senate in 1993 when Republicans seized control of the chamber.