Terry Lee Bruce (born March 25, 1944) is an American politician, lawyer, and educator from Illinois.

He worked for a time at the United States Department of Labor on issues related to farmworkers and as an intern on the staff of Tom McGloon.

[2] Bruce's initial election to the Illinois Senate representing the 55th District in 1971 was in part made possible by the retirement of the incumbent, Paul W.

In 1981, Bruce was among those who opposed an "eleventh-hour action", ultimately accepted, to increase Illinois General Assembly compensation.

Local Democratic leaders appointed former state legislator William L. O'Daniel to the vacancy created by Bruce's resignation.

[7] In 1977, Democratic incumbent George E. Shipley chose to retire after ten terms in the United States House of Representatives rather than run in the 1978 election.