Sangamon Sun

Three Republican lawmakers reflected on the late 4th District Appellate Judge John Schmidt with a resolution in his honor.

Presenting HR753 during House floor debate Wednesday, Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove) began a line of honor for the magistrate who died suddenly in December at age 52.

“I want to take a moment to remember a wonderful public servant who lived and worked in Sangamon County," Jimenez said. "I first met Judge John Schmidt when I was a cub reporter here in Springfield and he was the Sangamon County state's attorney, he was always kind, accessible and willing to spend extra time to make sure I understood the case or the situation."

Judge John Schmidt

Jimenez shared the judge's career accomplishments, noting that before he became the state's attorney, he worked in the office of the assistant and prior to that in the U.S. Attorney's Office, before serving the past seven years in the circuit and then the appellate court.

"All the while he was both a loving husband and father," Jimenez said. "The last time I saw him was at the beer tent at the Illinois State Fair, and he told me how proud he was of some of the votes I had been taking recently. He was always one to reach out and make sure that you knew that he was proud of you."

Jimenez also shared how she served with his wife, Robin, on the Springfield Park District Board.

“She is quite a lady, too,” Jimenez said. “As a couple, they loved Sangamon County and served the public every chance they got.”

She called his unexpected death an “enormous shock” to the community and pointed to Robin and his son, Johnny, who were there to accept the House resolution in his honor.

“Thank you, Robin, for sharing your husband with us, and Johnny, thank you very much for sharing your dad with us,” Jimenez said. “His impact on our community will be remembered forever.”

After a moment of silence, Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), who had been friends Schmidt for 20 years, said the last time he saw Schmidt was at the Illinois State Fair beer tent.

“He was a wonderful individual and a good friend,” Butler said. “For anyone who knew him, you could say he left this place a better community then when he came here certainly applies to John.”

Butler said not only did Schmidt make the community safer but also “he made our community better as far as being involved in our community as a wonderful citizen here in Sangamon County.”

“He was just a super guy,” Butler said looking up in the gallery his wife and son. “To Robin and Johnnie, our hearts go out to you. John went way too quick.”

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) shared how he met Schmidt on his campaign trail to the General Assembly.

“When I was appointed to join the General Assembly, I could think of nobody better to swear me in,” Davidsmeyer said. “There is a large picture in my district office of him swearing me in and it will always be up there.”

He called Schmidt a “larger-than-life individual,” who was “always impressive, always funny, and always a good smile on his face.”

“That said, I know he is up there making people laugh and enjoying life up there,” Davidsmeyer said.