SR1175 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1175 LRB102 28925 MST 40820 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James L. "Jim" Ranney of East Peoria, who passed away on August 29, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was born in East Peoria to James E. and Helen (Sperry) Ranney on October 19, 1938; he graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1956 and earned a degree in biology at Eureka College in 1962; he married Sandra Ruth Pfeiffer in Ashton on December 29, 1963; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney began his career in education as a science teacher and coach at Ashton Westview Jr. High School; then, while teaching at Woodruff High School in 1964, he attended Bradley University and received his master's degree in Guidance and Counseling; in 1970, he earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University, where he was awarded the Raymond Foster Memorial Scholarship; he then worked for the Troy Community Consolidated School District in Joliet as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Research, and Title Project and as a junior high school principal; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was named an Outstanding Young Man in America by the Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity for Men in Education in 1972; he returned to the East Peoria area to become the Director of Elementary Curriculum for Peoria Public Schools in 1973, where he worked until he retired in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was a proud resident of East Peoria and took great pride in being involved in the community; in 1975, he became the Commissioner of Public Property for East Peoria; he also served as a board member for the Tri-County Planning Commission and as a member of the East Peoria Kiwanis Club and Bicentennial Commission; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was elected mayor of East Peoria in 1979, a position he proudly held until 1987; during his time as mayor, he served as the chairman of the Tri-County Mayor's Association and was a member of several local groups, including the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-County Economic Development Council, where he served as an executive committee member for three years, the Route 121 Task Force, the Central Illinois Alcoholism Council, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Peoria Lake/Illinois River Study Advisory Committee, the Eighteenth District Congressional Award Council, the Peoria Area Volunteer Fire Prevention Advisory Council, the Women Strength Sexual Assault Advisory Committee, the Tri-County Tomorrow Steering Committee, and the United Way Home Health Care Task Force; one of his greatest achievements as mayor was starting the Festival of Lights Parade in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was recognized in Who's Who in America in 1983 and the Directory of Distinguished Americans in 1984; he was named the East Peoria Citizen of the Year in 1986; in 1987, he was honored as the Tri-County Citizen of the Year and was also awarded the Eureka College Alumni Award of Merit; he was honored by East Peoria with the public service building named after him; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Sigma Zeta Science Honorary Society, the International Reading Association, the Illinois Reading Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English; he was a past member of the Illinois Association of Supervision & Development and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; he was a longtime member of the University United Methodist Church in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney loved going to different places; he enjoyed attending the Indy 500, which he did for over 40 years, Bradley basketball games, Bears games, and Cubs game; he also enjoyed golfing with his buddies and spending time with his friends; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney was preceded in death by his daughter, Christine; and

WHEREAS, Jim Ranney is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandra; his son, James (Mindi) Ranney; his grandchildren, Zachary, Joshua, Nicole, Paige, and James Max; and his brother, Bill (Peggy) Ranney; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James L. "Jim" Ranney and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jim Ranney as an expression of our deepest sympathy.