Kirk brings extensive experience in business and governmental relations in Illinois and across the U.S.
Kirk brings a wealth of experience in business and governmental relations. As the chairman of the Regional Transit Authority in metropolitan Chicago and the independent chair of the Chicago Skyway Toll Road, he has a deep understanding of infrastructure and transportation issues. Kirk’s clients range from major oil and automobile manufacturers to health insurers, telemedicine companies, and national trucking firms.
Kirk is a frequent speaker throughout the U.S. on transportation infrastructure, tort reform, and civil justice. He also contributes newspaper, bar journal, and law review columns and articles. Kirk’s scholarly writings have been cited multiple times by the Illinois Supreme Court and are on the "Recommended Reading" List of the National Law Journal.
Recently, Kirk served as a member of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restoring Illinois Infrastructure Transition Committee. He also served as the co-chair of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Transportation Transition Team.
In 1994, Kirk was elected an Illinois state senator, representing Chicagoland’s western suburbs, before stepping down after nearly 20 years of service in 2014. He was chairman of the Judiciary Committee, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, and vice chairman of the Rules Committee, and he served on the Licensed Activities and Energy and Environment Committees. Kirk was also chairman of the Senate High-Technology Task Force and a member of the “Illinois Coalition,” a corporate, academic, and governmental board that works to strengthen the Illinois economy through the advancement of science and technology.
Before he left the firm at the invitation of Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to become his chief of staff in 1991, Kirk’s governmental experience included the Medical Malpractice Task Force and the site selection commission for a third Chicagoland airport. He had served as director of legislative affairs to former Gov. James R. Thompson, and Kirk was a court of claims judge from 1987 to 1991.
Kirk has served as an instructor in legal writing, research, and moot court at the DePaul University College of Law. He has also served as a lecturer on legislation and statutory interpretation at Loyola University, Chicago, and DePaul University Law Schools. Kirk currently is a member of DePaul University College of Law’s Dean's Advisory Board and a mentor to the Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago.
Professional and Community Involvement
• Member, Illinois Coalition
• Member, Economic Club of Chicago
• Member, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Chicago Bar Association
• Board of directors, College of DuPage Foundation
• Board of directors, Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation
• Board of trustees, Western Illinois University
• Member, DePaul University College of Law Dean's Advisory Board
• Mentor, Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago
Rankings and Recognition
• Leading Lawyers
• Crain's Chicago Business, “Who’s Who in Chicago Business"
• American Public Transportation Association, "Best of the Best" Award
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Champion of Free Enterprise
• Illinois Farm Bureau, Friend of Agriculture
• West Suburban Living, Most Influential Local Resident
• IL Equal Justice Foundation, Champion of Justice Award
• Outstanding Service to DePaul University Award
• Western Illinois University, Distinguished Alumni Award
• College of DuPage, Presidential Leadership Medal
• Hinsdale Central High School Hall of Fame
• Delta Sigma Phi National Fraternity, Executive Directors Award
• National Republican Legislators Association, Legislator of the Year
Professional Experience
• Chairman, Regional Transit Authority, Metropolitan Chicago
• Independent chair, Chicago Skyway Toll Road
• Illinois state senator, 1994-2014
• Chief of staff, Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, 1991
• Director of legislative affairs, former Governor James R. Thompson
• Court of claims judge, 1987-1991
• Member, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's Restoring Illinois Infrastructure Transition Committee
• Co-chair, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Transportation Transition Team
Bar Admissions
• Illinois
Education
• Western Illinois University, Doctorate of Humane Letters, 2015
• DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1982
• Western Illinois University, B.A., with honors, 1977; WIU Student of the Year
