SR1221 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1221 LRB100 16611 MST 31747 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Justice John P. Schmidt, who passed away on December 19, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt was born in Springfield to Phillip H. and Susan Conavay Schmidt on January 8, 1965; he attended Farmingdale Grade School and Lanphier High School, where he played center for the football team for four years; he had dreams of a career in law and attended Western Illinois University and the University of Tulsa College of Law; he married Robin Lee DuRocher in Springfield on October 5, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney from 1990 to 1992; from 1992 to 1995, he worked as an Assistant State's Attorney and as First Assistant State's Attorney for four years; he was appointed the State's Attorney for Sangamon County in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt served as Sangamon County State's Attorney for 11 years before being appointed a Circuit Court Judge for the Illinois Circuit in 2010; he was appointed as a Justice of the 4th District Appellate Court by the Illinois Supreme Court on December 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt served on numerous boards, including the Illinois State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor's Office and the Illinois State's Attorneys Association for which he served as president in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt loved to travel with his wife and son, enjoyed playing trivia, completing crossword puzzles, and spending time with the family dog, Macaroni; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt was a devoted husband and father, a highly respected attorney, prosecutor, and judge, and a beloved Springfield citizen; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Justice Schmidt is survived by his wife, Robin; his son, John "Johnny" P. Schmidt; his uncle and aunt, Eric and Joanne Schmidt; his in-laws, Norma Seibert and Robert DuRocher; and his brothers-in-law, Ryan (Melinda) DuRocher and Scott (Toni) Seibert; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Justice John P. Schmidt, 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 Justice Schmidt as an expression of our deepest sympathy.