The following statement has been received from McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi:
McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi having a discussion with a constituent at this year’s Crystal Lake Business Expo.
There are personal and family concerns that I am discussing with my family that may impact whether I continue my reelection campaign for 2016.
A final decision will be made within a few weeks.
Meanwhile, I have asked Patrick Kenneally, an Assistant State’s Attorney, to file petitions for the office, in the event I ask the clerk to remove my petitions.
Pat has extensive experience in prosecuting criminal cases and has been working in civil law for the past two years. He is an outstanding lawyer, brilliant writer and the best attorney to continue with the aggressive prosecutions of the last 11 years and the law enforcement programs initiated by the office.
= = = = =
Here is a biography of Patrick Kenneally:
Professional:
Patrick was hired by Lou Bianchi in 2007 as an assistant state’s attorney. In only five years, Patrick went from traffic court to special prosecutions. Along the way, Patrick tried over 80 cases at all levels of the justice system. As a domestic violence prosecutor, Patrick changed the way that domestic violence cases were prosecuted by trying and winning cases despite fearful victims refusing to appear in court. For his efforts, Patrick earned Turning Point’s Peace and Justice Award.
As a special prosecutor, Patrick was personally responsible for prosecuting the most dangerous and violent offenders, including murderers, rapists, armed robbers, child molesters, and killer drunk drivers. Recent trials Patrick has successfully prosecuted include:
- People v. Michael Romano, First Degree Murder, Guilty
- People v. Robert Signorile, First Degree Murder, Guilty
- People v. Mario Casciaro, First Degree Murder, Guilty
- People v. Daniel Bending, Driving Under the Influence Proximately Causing Death, Guilty
- People v. Thomas Reed, Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Guilty
Patrick is known to stand in solidarity with victims who often must endure for a lifetime the consequences of the senseless criminal acts of others. He has a reputation for prosecuting criminal offenders tenaciously, but doing so without ever losing sight of his ultimate ethical responsibility to seek justice before all else.
Personal:
Patrick is the proud husband to Colleen. Patrick, Colleen, and their two sons, Patrick R. and John, live in McHenry County. Patrick and his family are members of St. Thomas Church in Crystal Lake. Patrick is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
In 2014, Patrick was selected to join the Office and Peace and Justice for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Encyclical Working Group (EWG). The EWG, which includes clergy, faculty from a number of Chicago’s Catholic Universities, and lay Catholics, was assembled to promote the message of Pope Francis most recent encyclical.
Patrick also volunteers his time as a counselor helping patients overcome alcohol and drug addiction issues.
Education:
Patrick earned his law degree from Washington University School of Law in 2005 and also has a master’s degree in environmental law from the University of Vermont. Prior to law school, Patrick earned his bachelors degree in biology and liberal arts from the College of the Holy Cross. At Holy Cross, Patrick was a member of the All-Time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
Court and Bar Admissions:
- Illinois Bar
- United State’s District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- McHenry County Bar Association
- Illinois Bar Association
Time for change anyway.
Bleachers fight must of been a strain on old Lew.
Lou will be missed……
He has integrity style and class …
He has done well for the people of McHenry county
To Lou and your lovely wife Jean.
Both of you have served your community with grace, compassion and most of all, even when you were persecuted, you kept your dignity.
For that your community is truly grateful, you owe nothing more.
For that, you have become an example of what ‘class’ signifies for your children and grandchildren.
You health, your life together and time with your family is all that matters after all ‘those people’ did to you.
I hope you find peace and happiness in what ever decision you make.
Palm Springs is awfully nice this time of year!
Go for it and live with all the joy and happiness God has for you Lou and Jean Bianchi.
Thank you!
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Bad news for McHenry County … REAL BAD!
can’t he stay another year?
Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again
Altogether shout it now
There’s no one who can doubt it now
So let’s tell the world about it now
So long sad time, so long bad time
We are rid of you at last
Howdy gay times, cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past
Happy days are here again
Whatever your decision is, I will back it 1000% as you have backed the county and republican party here.
Best wishes to Jean and you.
You are a true statesman and leader here in McHenry.
All the best Lou and may God bless.
If only Lou had been as good as some believe him to have been.
Whether by ignorance or directed action Lou hurt many through his position, actions and inactions.
His leaving the position will end his ability to use the position to the detriment of some.
This will be a relief.
Hopefully he will peacefully retire from the whole profession and quietly live his life well away from those he harmed.
The next person will need to have far better legal acumen, management ability and administrative flair or The People risk another nice, well intentioned fool being used by smarter people to victimize those seen as not conforming to a “proper” vision.
Any person ordained by Lou is immediately suspect for incompetence and rigidity with zero temper control, blind loyalty to people using them and revenge motives.
It will be up to each of them to prove otherwise.
David you couldn’t have said it better.
Whatever your decision you make for you and your family is well deserved.
Good luck Lou and thank you for your service.
Based on some of the comments, it appears a done deal? Lou has dropped out?
Lou, you’re a class act and McHenry County will be the less if you decide to leave.
Our thanks.
Lou, thank you for the positive changes to the County.
Of course we’ll have to accept your decision but wish you’d stay.
All the best to you and your family.
I am amazed at how negative comments are always preceded by a fake name.
I wonder if Nob and Priest hide their names because of their own guilt or because they know nothing and want to stay anonymous.
I look forward, and in doing so, SUPPORT whatever decision Lou makes and also anticipate the possibility of a great man, Patrick Kenneally’s, possible run for office!
Oh Lou……….
Say it isn’t so !
During the investigation into Lou Bianchi’s electioneering over a dozen other felony and misdemeanor leads came into the Special Investigator.
Judge Graham wouldn’t allow the investigation into Bianchi and his office to widen to include investigating these leads.
When Lou found out his electioneering charges he threatened (hearsay) the little girl who started the investigation out of an abundance of idealism or pure manipulation.
The little girl didn’t deserve any threats, if there were any.
After the whole debacle ended Bianchi swore in front of the courthouse to have a whole new appreciation of the law and the responsibilities of his office.
Various organizations who were going to proceed with further investigations into the McHenry Office of the States Attorney felt more harm than good would come to The People in these and they were suspended in the hope Lou learned he wasn’t nearly as untouchable as he previously thought.
Bianchi played choir boy for a couple years.
He cozied up to money in the county, sang loudly at mass and dedicated himself to reforming any possible damage the investigations may have done.
Then a filthy commenter with zero credibility commented on this blog about Lou.
Rather than being like 100% of the rest of the people in public life who have filthy trolls online who ignore such comments Lou chose to give everything this person said the weight of truth by abrogating their right to free speech and suing them.
Lou has a horrible vindictive track record with His closest friends able to manipulate him into flights of legal fancy telling him he’s untouchable.
His exit will be appreciated by some, lamented by his worshippers and mean nothing whatsoever to the vast majority of the citizens of McHenry County.
To his worshippers I’m so sorry Lou is human and fallible.
For them Im sorry there are a few who will be thankful to see him go. It is tough to see heroes aren’t universally worshipped.
Please believe it’s tougher to know they shouldn’t be and why.
I’m so sorry for the human and fallible traits, also in your profession
Good Luck Lou…
Hate to see you go
after reading the slime of priest’s post I need to hit the shower.
Must be hard to live with all that hatred..
And to stand in church with Lou.
Talk about a hypocrite.
Ditto…..Trucken561