Eric T. Ruud ’71
Service Award
Eric Ruud ’71 participated in both student government and athletics while at University High School. During his senior year, Ruud was Student Council president and played on the undefeated varsity football team; Normal Community was shut-out 38-0. He received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Illinois State University in 1975 and a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University in 1980.
Ruud has worked in the McLean County State’s Attorney Office for over 26 years. He is currently the first assistant state’s attorney. Ruud’s emphasis has been on civil litigation, taxation, contract negotiations, legislation, school law, zoning, and environmental law. He has been instrumental in the successful appeal blocking a landfill development, creation of a county-wide 911 system, organization of a law enforcement merit system, implementation of Ethics in County Government legislation, authoring of contracts for computerization of county government, and negotiations for settlement of major industrial & commercial tax cases. Ruud is a representative of the State’s Attorney Office to all agencies, boards and commissions associated with McLean County government, all McLean County elected and appointed officials, and the Regional Office of Education. He is also a hearing officer for the City of Bloomington Human Relations Commission and in 2007 received the Outstanding Service Award from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools.
Community involvement is a priority for Ruud. He is a member of the McLean County Bar Association and has been a frequent lecturer at seminars sponsored by the Illinois Appellate Prosecutors Office and the State’s Attorney Association. Ruud has made “Career Day” presentations at many local junior highs and high schools. He served on the Town of Normal’s Human Relations Commission and is a Normal precinct committeeperson. He provides ongoing pro bono legal advice to the Youth Impact Board, the Child Protection Network Board, the McLean County Crime Detection Board, the United Workforce Development Board, the Recovery Starts Today Board, the McLean County Rural Mayors Association, and the McLean County Fire Chiefs Association.
Ruud has continued his involvement with the Laboratory Schools and Illinois State. He is currently a member of the Lab School’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee and the University’s Friends of the Arts program. He is also an ambassador for the Lab School’s fundraising campaign and the Illinois State University Foundation. Ruud has been an adjunct instructor in the College of Business teaching Business Law courses and has chaired his 10-year and 30-year class reunions. His most important connection to the University, however, is that of parent to his two children who attend Thomas Metcalf School.
Thank you, Eric Ruud, for your positive contributions to the Lab Schools, Illinois State University, and McLean County. Congratulations on receiving the 2007 Alumni Service Award!