Background
Burris, Roland Wallace was born on August 3, 1937 in Centralia, Illinois, United States. Son of Earl L. and Emma M. (Curry) Burris.
United States Senator from Illinois
Burris, Roland Wallace was born on August 3, 1937 in Centralia, Illinois, United States. Son of Earl L. and Emma M. (Curry) Burris.
Bachelor in Political Science, Southern Illinois University, 1959. Juris Doctor, Howard University, Washington, 1963. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Tougaloo College, Mississippi, 1991.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), National-Louis University, Evanston, Illinois, 1991.
National bank examiner, Office Comptroller Currency, United States Department Treasury, Washington, 1963-1964. Second vice president, commercial banking officer, tax consultant Continental Illinois National Bank & Trust Company, Chicago, 1964-1973. Director central management services State of Illinois, 1973-1977, comptroller, 1979-1991, attorney general, 1991—1995.
National executive director Operation Push, Chicago, 1977-1978. Managing partner Jones Ware & Grenard, 1995—1998. Of counsel Buford & Peters Law Firm, LLC, 1999—2002, Burris, Wright, Slaughter, & Tom, LLC, 2002—2007.
Senior counsel Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP, 2007—2009. Partner Burris & Lebed Consulting LLC, Chicago, 2002—2009. United States Senator from Illinois, 2009—2010.
Member United States Senate Armed Services Committee, 2009—2010, United States Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, 2009—2010, United States Senate Veterans Committee, 2009—2010. Vice chairman Committee in Illinois Government, 1969-1972. President Independent Political Organization, 1967-1968.
Democratic candidate Illinois Legislation, 1968. Member 6th Ward Independent Voters of Illinois, 1965-1970. Co-chairman Illinois delegate Democratic National Convention, 1981.
Member-at-large Democratic National Committee, 1981, vice chairman 1985-1989. Adjunct professor, Southern Illinois University, 1995-1998. Board directors Inland Real Estate Corporation, since 1996.
Board directors Southern Illinois University Foundation. Member American Bar Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (President's award 1991), Illinois Bar Association, Cook County Bar Association (Public Service award 1975), Chicago Bar Association (chairman subcommittee), National Association State Auditors Comptrollers & Treasurer (president 1985-1986), National Forum State Leaders (founder, president since 1982), National Association Attorney Generals, American Institute Banking, National Business League, Government Finance Officers Association (board directors 1987-1990), Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce, Chicago South End Junior Chamber of Commerce (president 1967-1968, Distinguished Service award 1968), Howard University Law School Alumni Association (chairman board), Young Executives in Politics (founder, president since 1982), National Association Attorneys General (vice chairman Midwest chapter).
Married Berlean Miller, December 23, 1961. Children: Rolanda Sue, Roland Wallace World War II.