Joe is a 1959 graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in accountancy. In 1962 he received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. From 1962 to 1968 he was a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney, and he has been in private practice since 1968.

Joe was a member of the Board of Directors of the Edison Park Youth Organization; President of the St. Juliana School Board from 1976 to 1978; 8th grade basketball coach at St. Juliana from 1975 to 1987; and attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police since 1983. In 2006, Joe received a Certificate of Merit Award for his work benefitting The Chicago Lighthouse For People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Joe has been married to his wife, Mary Jane, for forty-three years. They have one son, Joseph, and four grandchildren, Fitzpatrick, Quinn, Gavin and Aubrey.