Letter: Remembering Stephen Rittof

To the Editor:

Thanks to Janet Moorman and Steve Rittof Jr. for sharing their memories of their father, Stephen M. Rittof Sr. It brought back very good memories. I would certainly call Steve one of the greatest public servants I have ever known and had the pleasure with which to work. His dedication to the citizens of the Village of Channahon, his kindness and his incredible work ethic were very inspirational to a young lawyer.

A particular experience was not mentioned in the article. A rendering plant had purchased land adjacent to the Village of Channahon on Route 6 east of I-55. Mr. Rittof was bound and determined that this rendering plant would not be constructed adjacent to his Village. I was able to find an error in the legal publication of the City of Joliet which led to a rehearing that enabled Mr. Rittof, armed with a roomful of citizens from the village, to request the Plan Commission and Joliet City Council to reverse the decision to zone the property for the rendering plant.

In this case Mr. Rittof was successful. He put his heart and soul into this effort. I still remember one of the most famous quotations of all time when he talked about the rendering plant. He told the mayor and city council that this facility would “gag a maggot off a gutwagon.”

I never fully understood the meaning of this message but it had an incredible impact. We must not forget the good deeds done by those in public service. Thank you Steve Rittof Sr.

Mike Hansen

Joliet