 Among Grotberg's civic accomplishments were the founding of the Tri-City Youth Project for Geneva, Batavia, and St. Charles (now TriCity Family Services), providing needed companionship and entertainment for area youths, and the Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice.He left his job to enter politics in 1973.From 1973-77, Grotberg served two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, and in 1976, he easily won an election to the Illinois Senate where he served three terms as Illinois State Senator (1977–85), the last four years of which he was the Assistant Republican Leader.