MEMORIAL-DIANE K. RUTLEDGE

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0619

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SR0619 - 104th General Assembly

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SR0619
LRB104 20820 MST 34364 r
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3
to learn of the death of Diane Kay Rutledge of Springfield, who
4
passed away on February 3, 2026; and

5

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge was born on December 8, 1950; and

6

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge began her career with District 186
7
as a teacher at Dubois Elementary School before she championed
8
gifted programs, served as assistant principal, and led Owen
9
Marsh Elementary School with steady, compassionate leadership;
10
and

11

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge continued her service to District
12
186 as assistant superintendent in multiple roles, shaping
13
curriculum, strengthening school operations, and advancing
14
innovation in elementary schools; as deputy superintendent and
15
later superintendent of schools, she guided with wisdom,
16
integrity, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every
17
student and educator; and

18

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge dedicated her life to serving
19
others; she worked with numerous organizations and boards,
20
including the Springfield Public Schools Foundation, Memorial
21
Health Systems, Wooden It Be Lovely, United Way of Central

SR0619
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LRB104 20820 MST 34364 r
1
Illinois, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln,
2
the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Springfield
3
Children's Museum, the Springfield Area Arts Council,
4
Leadership Springfield, and more; and

5

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge, in retirement, led the Large Unit
6
District Association for ten years and continued her advocacy
7
for public education by lobbying on behalf of PK-12 large
8
districts and mentoring superintendents across the State of
9
Illinois; she served on countless state-wide committees and
10
commissions, including the P-20 Council, which advocated for a
11
pipeline from preschool through college and career, focusing
12
on aligning policies, improving student readiness, closing
13
achievement gaps, and strengthening teacher quality; and

14

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge received numerous awards,
15
including the First Citizen Award, the Illinois State Board of
16
Education's Those Who Excel Award of Excellence, the Good as
17
Gold Lifetime Achievement Award, the Athena Award, and Western
18
Illinois University's Distinguished Alumni Award; and

19

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge was a devoted educator, community
20
member, mentor, and friend who worked passionately to improve
21
the lives of those around her; and

22

WHEREAS, Diane Rutledge is survived by her husband, Steve;

SR0619
- 3 -
LRB104 20820 MST 34364 r
1
her brother, Stephan (Jeanne) Jurkins; her sister, Sandy
2
(John) Croxton; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be
3
it

4

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
5
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
6
Diane Kay Rutledge and extend our sincere condolences to her
7
family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
8
further

9

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10
presented to the family of Diane Rutledge as a symbol of our
11
deepest sympathy.

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