Robert W. McCarthy (May 28, 1924 – March 19, 2015) was an American politician in the state of Illinois. McCarthy attended Lincoln College and the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, earning a law degree. At the University of Illinois, he also played on the football team. He also served with the United States Army during World War II. McCarthy then practiced law in Decatur, Illinois (McCarthy, Rowden & Baker). He also was secretary-treasurer of the Arcade Loan Company and Lincoln Speedway, Inc., and a public administrator and sewer attorney in Logan County and the city of Lincoln respectively. He was elected as a Democrat to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1954 to serve the Decatur area, serving until 1961. In 1960, McCarthy was elected to the 28th Senatorial district, from