Patterson earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in fire science and fire protection engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and a master of public administration from University of Illinois at Chicago where he also has done postgraduate study in electrical engineering.
[4] During the 94th General Assembly, Patterson served on the following committees: Appropriations-Public Safety; Computer Technology; Electric Utility Oversight; Housing and Urban Development.
[5] After suffering a stroke, Patterson chose to retire and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Andre Thapedi.
[6] On January 9, 2009, Patterson was the lone House vote (114–1) against impeaching Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges and committing abuses of power.
Patterson defended his vote against impeachment by stating that "I have no firsthand knowledge of any of the evidence," "I went by my own gut feeling, as simple as that,"[7] and also that "I read the report.