HR0321 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0321 LRB099 11484 MST 33364 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Joliet Central High School Principal John Randich on the occasion of his retirement after 39 years of service in the education field; and

WHEREAS, John Randich has over 39 years of educational experience, with 34 of those years being dedicated to Joliet Township High School District (JTHS) 204; and

WHEREAS, John Randich is in his final year as principal at JTHS and will be leaving a legacy of success that will continue to impact generations of students, parents, staff, and the community; he has been involved in 3 of the district's strategic plans (5-year cycles), the passage of a referendum to build field houses, construction of a field house and new student center, and the implementation of the academy structure; and

WHEREAS, John Randich led an innovative educational reform that resulted in JTHS becoming the first public school district in Illinois to add community service as a graduation requirement; he was instrumental in making JTHS a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for the last 3 consecutive years; he worked with JTHS students and staff as JTHS became one of the first high schools in the nation to collaborate in a book study with author Sean Covey regarding character education for teens, and, in 1998, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens" was released, celebrated with a book signing at Barnes and Nobles; and

WHEREAS, John Randich has facilitated numerous presentations and events held at sender schools and community organizations such as the NAACP, neighborhood associations, and the Joliet Region Interfaith Education Council; he is a member of the Joliet City Center Partnership and actively contributes to the JTHS Foundation as the Co-Chair of the Major Gifts Committee; his relationship with the City Center resulted in the inclusion of Joliet Central as a destination point in the downtown city walking tour, which tells the story of historic destinations in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, The school culture that John Randich has created has led to several awards, including the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Academic Improvement Award for Joliet Central's significant improvement in State test scores, and the district's AP Achievement Award; in 2012, he was awarded "Steelman of the Year" by the athletic boosters, and, in 2011, the University of St. Francis named him as one of the 90 most influential graduates; in 2014, he received the ISBE Award of Excellence for School Administration; and

WHEREAS, John Randich is the first Joliet Central High School graduate to become the school's principal and his 2 sons are fourth generation JTHS alumni; he is a first generation college graduate and a life-long resident of Joliet; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Joliet Central High School Principal John Randich on his retirement after 39 years of service in the education field; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to John Randich as an expression of our esteem and respect.