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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
3Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals
4who have served our country and State and, in doing so, have
5made the ultimate sacrifice; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic of the Bradley
7Police Department gave her life in the line of duty on December
830, 2021; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was born on October 6, 1972; she
10was the daughter of James and Mary Jane (Thompson) Rittmanic;
11she married Lyn Stua on June 11, 2011; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was a 21-year law enforcement
13veteran; she began her career as a deputy with the Iroquois
14County Sheriff's Department in 2000; she joined the Bradley
15Police Department on February 13, 2007, where she was promoted
16to sergeant on September 2, 2014; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was widely recognized as a leader
18in community policing; she was known for her ability to speak
19to members of the community with respect while meeting them
20where they were in life, understanding their true needs, and
21working together with them to find a solution; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was awarded the Law Enforcement
2Officer of the Year in 2020 in recognition of her commitment to
3the Bradley and Kankakee County communities; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was also a published poet, an
5amateur photographer, and a film producer for her family, the
6Bradley Police Department, and community events; alongside her
7wife, she was an avid dog rescuer; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was preceded in death by her
9mother, Mary Jane Rittmanic; her sister, Diana Jessen; her
10brothers, Richard Rittmanic and Mark Rittmanic; and her
11nephews, Richie Absher and Brett Mayhood; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic is survived by her wife, Lyn Stua;
13her father, James Rittmanic; her sisters, Kimberly Organ,
14Christina (Ty) O'Connor, Kathleen (Rodney) Emme, Colleen
15Welch, and Jennifer (Jerry) Whitaker; her brother, James
16(Trish) Rittmanic; and several nieces and nephews; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Sgt. Rittmanic was a valiant Illinoisan and a
18proud member of the Bradley and Kankakee County communities
19who will be remembered for bravely and honorably serving its
20citizens; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
3SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the 315 Overpass
4on U.S. Route 57 as the "Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic
5Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
7is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
8State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
9giving notice of the name of the "Sergeant Marlene R.
10Rittmanic Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic and
13the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.