WHEATON – DuPage County Judge Linda Davenport, a Democrat and Wheaton resident, announced she is seeking election to the seat recently vacated by retiring Chief Judge Kathryn Creswell.

Davenport currently serves as an appointed associate judge in the domestic relations division of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, a position she has held for more than 10 years.

“A strong, independent judiciary is important to the people of DuPage County," Davenport said in a news release. “I plan to serve the people as a circuit judge with the same diligence and devotion that I've shown as an appointed judge. I invite DuPage citizens to learn about my candidacy, ask me questions and become involved in deciding who becomes a judge. I believe I have the most experience and best qualifications for this job.”

Born in Muscatine, Iowa, Davenport's family moved to La Grange in 1958. After graduating from Lyons Township High School in 1971, she received a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Colorado in 1975.

In 1978, Davenport received her law degree from DePaul University College of Law and went into private law practice in DuPage County. Her law firm eventually became known as Fortunato, Farrell, Davenport & Arnold, located in Westmont, the release stated.

From 1993 to 2000, Davenport served on the Wheaton City Council, having first been appointed by Mayor James Carr and then elected in her own right, serving the residents of the East District, according to the release.

In 1995, she became the first woman to be elected president of the DuPage County Bar Association in its 117-year history, the release stated.

Since being appointed an associate judge in 2006, Davenport has taught at the Education Conference for Judges and been a frequent lecturer to practicing attorneys and paralegals, according to the release. In 2016, she received the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award from the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers.

Davenport lives in Wheaton with her husband of 38 years, Joseph Fortunato. She is an active member of First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, where she is site coordinator for DuPage Pads every week.