A second Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Circuit Court Judge is up and running.

She is Beth Vonau\, a candidate opposing appointed Judge David Gervias.

It is a countywide race.

Here is her campaign biography:

Beth went to law school to help victims of domestic violence. S

he first had the idea that she could help make a difference after an incident where a family friend was nearly killed in a domestic violence incident by that young woman’s father.

Beth was young but often spoke to the young woman about the incident and the following court case.

She learned that the young woman felt unheard in the Court and by the attorneys.

But Beth heard her.

Despite Beth being only 9 years old, she helped that young woman.

Domestic Violence laws were still rather new in Illinois and there was no Victim’s Bill of Rights back then either.

Much has changed about the law and how domestic violence cases are addressed in the courts but Beth’s willingness to help victims of violence be heard hasn’t changed since she was a child.

In fact, Beth has worked tirelessly to allow the voices of those in need be heard in the courts.

She was on the Board of Directors to bring CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocated for abused and neglected children) to McHenry County.

She was also on the Board of Directors for Turning Point when they were able to open the shelter.

Beth has continued to be actively involved with both CASA of McHenry County and Turning Point for the last 15 years.

She was also a member of the McHenry County Domestic Violence Advisory Committee and 19th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Advisory Committee prior to Lake and McHenry Counties splitting into two separate Judicial Circuits.

She provided domestic violence training to local law enforcement when she was an Assistant State’s Attorney; helped to plan and organize the first Teen Dating Violence Symposium in McHenry County; and more recently helped organize the Human Trafficking in McHenry County seminar for first responders, educators, and medical personnel.

She is now a member of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Committee which is the new iteration of the former McHenry County Domestic Violence Advisory Committee.

eth is also an active member of the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition and McHenry County Bar Association.

She is a Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) volunteer providing peer to peer support for a variety of needs for members of the legal community.

Beth is on the list of court approved mediators for family court and regularly volunteers to act as a mediator for the McHenry County Family Law Mediation Program.

She is also on the list of approved Guardian ad litem (GAL) for family law cases and has accepted pro-bono appointments as a GAL when requested to conduct an investigation and be a witness for the Court in contested cases where a GAL is needed but cannot be afforded.

Beth represents individuals who are seeking an order of protection but cannot afford representation upon request from Turning Point.

She has also accepted cases from Prairie State Legal Aid.

Because Beth is conversant in Spanish she is also able to provide access to justice for individuals who may otherwise not be fully heard.

Beth is on the 22nd Judicial Circuit’s Family Mediation Advisory Council and the McHenry County Bar Association Board of Governors.

For the last 2 years Beth has been a volunteer Coach for Girls on the Run and has loved mixing running with empowering 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to be able to stand up for themselves and others.

Beth is also eager to volunteer in the schools to help where she can be it to teach about art or in a bilingual classroom for the annual Law Day events.

In her younger days Beth was a member of the Crystal Lake Jaycees.

Beth has handled criminal cases from traffic tickets to homicide and everything in between.

She has worked both as an Assistant State’s Attorney prosecuting cases, in private practice defending cases, and as Conflict Counsel for the Lake County Public Defender’s Office.

Either way, Beth has always sought justice.

She has appeared on small claims and guardianship cases.

She regularly handles anything and everything in the family and juvenile courts.

Beth is the recipient of the 2017 Peace and Justice Award from Turning Point and in 2013 one of Shaw Media’s Best Under 40.

Beth is married to musician and Crystal Lake native Joe Corley.

Together they have an amazing daughter who is their greatest of blessings.

They also have a rescue pup from Helping Paws shelter in Woodstock.

With her unique background, the depth and breadth of her experience in the law, and her extensive and longstanding dedication to community, Elizabeth “Beth” Vonau is the right choice for 22nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge.

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Her Facebook page is here.