James “Pate” Philip, a powerful Illinois Republican known for his bipartisanship, patriotism and brash remarks, died Tuesday at his home in Wood Dale. He was 93.
Mr. Philip was the longest serving Republican to serve as Illinois Senate president, in a career that began in 1966 in the Illinois House of Representatives. He also served for more than 30 years as the chairman of the DuPage County Republican Central Committee — creating a suburban GOP machine that Republican presidents would count on to win.
