Bill Text: IL SR1175 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of James L. "Jim" Ranney of East Peoria.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR1175 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR1175-Introduced.html

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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

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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;

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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,

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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.