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Name: Victoria McKay Kennison
Age: 49
Political party: Republican
Town where you currently reside: Joliet
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Dan Kennison
Children: Three adult children
Office sought: Will County Circuit judge
Occupation: Will County associate judge
Education: B.S. from Illinois State University; Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School
Elected Offices held: N.A.
Website: ElectVictoriaMcKayKennison.com
Facebook: Elect Judge Victoria McKay Kennison
Email: victoriakennison@gmail.com
Phone: 815-263-1807
1. Why are you running for the elected office you are seeking?
I am passionate about serving my community. I believe it is vital for public trust and public safety to maintain an experienced, independent and professional Will County Circuit Court. I practiced criminal law, civil law, family law and appellate law for 15 years before becoming an associate judge. For the past seven years, I have served as associate judge in every law division of the courthouse. I have the legal background, on-the-job experience and proven track record of administering justice in a fair and equitable manner that make me uniquely qualified to serve as circuit judge.
2. What skills, qualities or experience do you have that separate you from your opponent?
A circuit judge is essentially a supervising judge of the associate judges. In order to be an effective supervising judge, you need to have first been a judge to understand what the job is and how to be a good judge. In my race, I am the only candidate with judicial experience.
I am honored to have both law enforcement and union endorsements, which speak to the level of confidence the community can have in my ability to be a good and fair circuit judge. I am also the only candidate who has spent her entire career focused on serving Will County. I have established relationships with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, sheriff's office, probation department, public defender’s office, county board and various community service partners that will enable me to more effectively understand the concerns and issues facing our community and manage the duties of circuit judge.
3. What are the greatest challenges facing Will County and/or your specific district in the coming years?
The biggest challenge to everyone who appears in court is ensuring they have equal access to justice. In Illinois, 50 percent of litigants in small claims, municipal, divorce, family and orders of protection cases are self-represented, which means they do not have an attorney to help them prepare court documents and present their case in court. I believe it is important for the court system to simplify court forms and procedures to ensure that they are more user-friendly and easy to understand. Simplifying the process will reduce frustration, improve the quality of court filings, reduce the number of court appearances and lead to a more efficient resolution of court cases.
4. If elected, what will be your top three priorities?
My first priority as a newly elected circuit judge will be to continue to improve the circuit court’s program for equal access to justice. Every person has the right to be heard in court and to be treated in a respectful and fair manner.
Second, I would grow and expand the already successful Will County Drug Court program and create a division to specifically address the different needs created by the growing opioid crisis in our county.
Third, I would work with the Will County States Attorney’s Office and other community service partners to expand the domestic violence court to create an anti-recidivism program to work to reduce the risk of repeat offenders, while increasing court services to victims.