Biography

Representative Rita is the youngest son of John and Rose Rita. He has a daughter, Ashley, who is 18 years old. Rose Rita is the 3^rd Ward alderman for the City of Blue Island and his father, John Rita, is the former Mayor of Blue Island. Representative Rita graduated from Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, and is currently completing his Bachelors Degree at Governors State University. Representitive Rita has been employed as both a Truck Driver and a Heavy Equipment Operator for the Cook County Highway Department. Throughout his many years as a union member, Bob Rita has developed a near perfect pro-labor voting record. Representative Rita is currently the Chairman of the Illinois Tollway Oversight Committee and serves on the Executive, Environment and Energy, Insurance, Health and Health Care Disparity, and Consumer Protection Committees.

In April 1997, Representative Rita was elected Trustee for Calumet Township. He was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee and Vice Chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee.

In November 1998, Rita's fellow township trustees across Illinois elected him Director of the Illinois Trustee Division. As director, his primary goal has been to provide better educational opportunities. Thus enables his fellow trustees throughout the state to become more effective public servants through home study courses, seminars, and establishing a township networking information lifeline.

In April 2001, Representative Rita was elected to his second term as Calumet Township Trustee without any opposition. Representative Rita stated it was a great honor to receive such overwhelming support from his township.

On June 11, 2001, Representative Rita was elected Director of Township Officials of Illinois by township officials throughout the state. Representative Rita’s main objective was to expand the educational opportunities of all township officials throughout the state.

On November 3, 2002, Representative Rita was elected as the new 28th District State Representative. In January 2003, Representative Rita was sworn in and assigned to the following committees: Appropriations-Public Safety, Computer Technology, Consumer Protection, Insurance, and Gaming. Since his initial election in 2002 as the incumbant Representative Rita has been Re-elected three times, his most recent victory was this February 5, 2008 Democratic Primary where he recieved a 3-1 victory over his 5 opponents. His district includes parts of Chicago's 9th and 34th wards, as well as the portions of suburbs Calumet Park, Blue Island, Robbins, Crestwood, Midlothian, Oak Forest, and Orland Park.

Rita lists economic redevelopment, equitable school funding, and increased health care availability as his top priorities in the state legislature. Representative Rita’s achievements as a public official have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and the public.