State Rep. Bob Rita

10/16/2026

I’ve said this for weeks now — it’s downright appalling that nothing is being done by school board members in Cook County District 130 to address the disgusting & unsafe classroom conditions being reported in the schools. On Tuesday, the school board will meet again & it’s time for them to vote to get the union custodians back on the job. Board Members Nicole Martinez, Taylor Burmeister, John Boehning, Frank Gassmere, Sarah Kaliski-Roll & William Werner need to vote to give our students a clean, safe place to learn!

10/12/2026

Today, we recognize the spirit of exploration, courage, and determination that has helped shape our nation’s history.

As we observe Columbus Day, we also celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Italian Americans throughout Illinois and across our nation. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday!

10/01/2026

Yesterday I joined with Blue Island teachers (Illinois Education Association), SEIU custodians & our community to say enough! Clean up our schools! School District 130 & its school board have failed us. Weeks have gone by with our students & teachers being subjected to disgusting & unsafe learning conditions. As a father & a grandfather, I am appalled & I call on the school board to immediately convene a special meeting to restore the custodians of SEIU Local 73 & get these schools cleaned up NOW.

09/25/2026

TAKE ACTION: Use this link to email the Blue Island Board members and demand that they reinstate union custodians and recognize the workers’ collective bargaining agreement:
https://act.seiu.org/a/ensure-safety-for-our-students-2

Be sure to share! Our schools should be kept clean and safe!

09/18/2026

Our schools need to be cleaned up NOW. It’s time for the state to intervene where this school district has failed. Parents, students & teachers should not have to face these conditions. This is unacceptable.

The Illinois State Board of Education says it is looking into complaints as teachers and parents raise concerns about school cleanliness.

09/16/2026

I am disgusted by the reports of unsafe & unsanitary conditions in schools in District 130. Since the School Board abruptly terminated the union janitors of SEIU 73 before the start of the school year, teachers are now reporting appalling conditions in schools, including mice & other animal infestations, overflowing garbage, & bathrooms for students & teachers that lack basic supplies, like soap & toilet paper. I joined with several of my colleagues today to call for immediate intervention & investigation by the Illinois State Board of Education & the Illinois Department of Public Health to act to protect students & teachers where the School District has failed. The termination of union janitorial staff was a failure that must be immediately addressed by the School District by going back to the negotiating table with SEIU 73. Anything less than clean, safe schools is unacceptable. We must protect students & teachers – and protect the rights of workers. The schools need to be cleaned up now!

Teachers and community members in Blue Island attended a school board meeting to protest unsanitary conditions following the layoff of 130 district custodians and the subsequent outsourcing of clea…

09/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Community Shred & E-Recycling Day!
It was great to see hundreds of residents come out and take advantage of this free opportunity to safely and properly dispose of unwanted documents and electronics.

A special thank you to Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller for partnering with me on this event, and to our incredible staff and volunteers who worked hard throughout the morning to keep everything running smoothly.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success.

09/11/2026

Friendly reminder! Join me and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for a FREE Shredding & E-Recycling Day. We hope to see you there!

09/11/2026

Today, we remember the lives lost 25 years ago on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage of the first responders, service members, and everyday Americans who came together to help our nation respond, recover, and heal.

We will never forget those we lost, the families whose lives were forever changed, or the bravery and selflessness of the heroes who answered the call.

May we continue to honor their memory and the spirit of unity that brought our nation together.

09/10/2026

Due to a recent loss, I regret to announce that my Blue Island Shred & E-Recycling Day, scheduled for this Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., has been canceled.

Residents who planned to attend the Blue Island shred event are encouraged to join us that same day for my Tinley Park Shred & E-Recycling Day:
Saturday, September 12
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Bremen Grove
16001 Oak Park Ave.
Tinley Park, IL

For more information, please contact my office at 708-396-2822.