States Attorney
STATE’S ATTORNEY JOE BIRKETT’S REMARKS REGARDING THE PASSING OF JANE RADOSTITS
WHEATON – Jane Radostits, Deputy Chief of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office Criminal Bureau, died from injuries suffered in a car crash yesterday afternoon on Winfield Road, south of Roosevelt Road. After yesterday’s bomb threat and building evacuation, Jane requested and received personal time off rather than return to the building for the remainder of the work day. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation of the crash. The driver of another vehicle involved was also injured. We pray for her speedy and full recovery.
Jane Radostits began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office where she was repeatedly praised for her tremendous trial skills and her compassionate treatment of crime victims, especially children. DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett hired Jane and appointed her Deputy Chief of the Criminal Bureau, Special Prosecutions Division in February, 1997.
Jane Radostits was a great leader; as an advocate for innocent victims of crime, as a supervisor or the Special Prosecutions Units and as a policy maker. In addition to all of her other duties, Jane was instrumental in reforming infant homicide investigations throughout the state. She personally trained hundreds of police officers, prosecutors, child protection workers and medical personnel. Jane served as Chairperson of the Regional Illinois Child Death Review Team. In 2005 Jane was honored by the Illinois Prosecutor’s Bar Association as the prosecutor of the year for her outstanding advocacy skills and compassion for crime victims. During that year, Jane successfully prosecuted three child killers, a child molester and the 1978 brutal double murder of Glen and Betty Schulz of Downers Grove.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett said “Jane Radostits touched thousands of lives. She sought justice every day and treated everyone she encountered with respect and dignity. Thanks to her lifetime commitment to justice, she also saved countless lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jane’s wonderful family. Her husband Frank, her daughter Kate and her son Frank can be proud this Mother’s Day and every day. Jane will never be forgotten.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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