MAYOR JOHN LANGE - BIOGRAPHY

A great sense of pride was instilled in me at a very young age. I was born on Sept. 17, 1949, at the old Marshall Clinic in Effingham, after the fire at St. Anthony Hospital forced its facilities to relocate. My father, Paul “Red” Lange, worked in the plumbing and heating business in Effingham for 40 years. Mother, Dorothy Boos Lange, kept busy with the home front, looking after my three sisters and me. Years later, my parents realized their dream of working for themselves by opening Lange’s News and Books in downtown Effingham. It is through the examples they set that I learned the value of a strong work ethic. Although they have since retired, their business continues on and still carries their name. They reside in the south part of Effingham, where they have lived for over 57 years.

I grew up in a very close family with three sisters, Diane Schmitz (deceased), Mary Sanders, of Chatham, Ill. and Susie Hayes of Effingham. My two sons, Aaron, an officer with the Effingham Police Department, and Shawn, a junior at Effingham High School, are two of my biggest supporters. Aaron and his wife, Tasha, have given me the title of "Grandpa" to two wonderful grandchildren, Kyandra, 3, and Kolten, 1. I am engaged to Jodi Moomaw of Effingham. Jodi also works for the Effingham Police Department as the Communications Supervisor. Her son, Kyle, is a junior at St. Anthony High School.

After graduating from St. Anthony High School, I took a job with Boos Plumbing and Heating in Effingham. I received an associate degree from Lake Land College and transferred to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in history, government and economics.

In August 1972 I accepted a full time position as an officer for the Effingham Police Department. Throughout my 30 years of service, I've graduated from several continuing education programs, including:.
• FBI Midwest Law Enforcement Executive Institute - Executive Development
• FBI National Academy, Quantico Virginia - Organization, Management and Leadership
• Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Institute - Executive Management Program

During my tenure as a police officer, I moved through the ranks of Corporal, Detective Sergeant and, in 1993, was appointed Chief of Police for the Effingham Police Department. I proudly served the city in this position for 10 years, until I retired in 2003.