Roland Burris graduated from Centralia High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Juris Doctor degree. He began his career in banking and finance, working at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company. Burris then transitioned to public service, serving as Director of the Department of Central Management Services and National Executive Director for Operation PUSH. He has also maintained a private law practice for extended periods. Burris has held significant state offices, including Illinois Comptroller and Illinois Attorney General, where he advocated for a national handgun ban and organized Chicago's first Gun Turn-in Day.

Roland Burris combines a progressive stance on gun control with a controversial approach to criminal justice, advocating for a national handgun ban while simultaneously ignoring warnings about wrongful convictions. His rhetoric often carries a confrontational edge, as evidenced by his derogatory remarks about primary opponents. Burris's career reveals a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, whether through his support for a moratorium on the death penalty or his independent run for Mayor of Chicago. This blend of ideological conviction and provocative communication makes Burris a uniquely intriguing figure in American politics.