HR0954 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0954 LRB102 29085 ECR 41016 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives mourn the loss of Elmhurst Police Chief Michael R. Ruth, who passed away on May 30, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Michael Ruth was born to Carl and JoAnn Ruth in Evergreen Park on April 23, 1959; he graduated from Alan B. Shepard High School in 1978; he served for 44 years in law enforcement in multiple Chicago suburbs; he began as a dispatcher in Alsip and then became a patrolman in Hometown before joining the Skokie Police Department in 1981; he served in many roles during his time with the Skokie Police Department and eventually rose through the ranks to the position of commander; he then served as chief of police in Countryside from 2010 to 2012 before being appointed to the position of chief of police in Elmhurst; and

WHEREAS, Michael Ruth's greatest accomplishments in his 10-year role as Elmhurst police chief were building strong community engagement initiatives and implementing new crime prevention technologies; specifically, he implemented numerous Community Oriented Policing standards, such as increasing social media presence, increasing presence at and around Elmhurst schools, and instituting a Prescription Drug Take Back program, a NARCAN and Epi-Pen deployment program, and a Citizens Police Academy; he most notably implemented the Neighborhood Roll Call program, which brought the Police Officers Shift Meeting to different neighborhoods two week nights each week to inform and answer questions from the residents, making the community safer and more informed; and

WHEREAS, Most notably, Michael Ruth helped the Elmhurst Police Department reach Tier 1 State Accreditation, a recognition by the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program Council (ILEAP) that showcased the department's professionalism in interacting with the community and provided a model for other police departments to follow; and

WHEREAS, Michael Ruth also served as a professor, teaching criminal justice students at the University of Illinois-Chicago and Governors State University, sharing his personal experiences and knowledge about law enforcement; he was also a graduate of the 207th Session of the FBI National Academy, where he was chosen to go through a 10-week program learning about terrorism, law, management, behavioral science, forensics, and much more in order to become a better leader for his community; he also served as president of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association; and

WHEREAS, Michael Ruth was committed to a sense of honor, duty, and service, as reflected by his last radio call in Elmhurst, which was dedicated to remembering his life, his love for his family, appreciation by those at the City of Elmhurst who knew and worked with him, and his commitment to the City of Elmhurst; and

WHEREAS, Michael Ruth was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Carla Jean Ruth and Theresa Cruzen Martinka; and

WHEREAS, Michael Ruth is survived by his wife, Susan L. Ruth; his daughter, Susan C. Ruth; his sisters, Patricia (Chris) Marsicano, Christina (Mark) Kakuk, and Laura (David) Piolatto; his nieces and nephews; his cousin, Valerie Harrington; and his beloved dogs, Bailey and Rudy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Elmhurst Police Chief Michael R. Ruth and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, community, 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 Michael Ruth as an expression of our deepest sympathy.