Former County Board Member James (Jim) P. Kennedy, RIP

Jim Kenndy wears a cap from the company where his daughter in a manager.

Arrangements have not been made but former McHenry County Board member James (Jim) P. Kennedy died Tuesday.

Democrat Kennedy was elected to the Board in 2006 by knocking out Republican Perry Moy.

He told me that he really worked hard for that victory.

At the time he was a member of the Lake in the Hills Village Board, working as a police officer in ElkGrove Village.

Kennedy was the first Democrat on the County Board in decades.

Democrat Jim Kennedy at a McHenry County Board meeting.

The last I remember was McHenry’s Chuck Weingart.  If memory serves me correctly, Weingart ran as a Democrat in 1972 and won. The next election cycle, running as a Democrat he lost, then ran as a Republican and won.

In 2010, he lost his re-election big to John Jung.

Reapportionment put him in District 2 in 2012 and he tried for a comeback, but did not succeed.

Kennedy was appointed to the Valley Hi Nursing Home Operating Board and has served as its Chairman.

From the McHenry County Democratic Party’s web site:

From the Dems Facebook

Jim Kennedy, 1955-2018

In 2006, Jim Kennedy became the first Democrat elected to the McHenry County Board in over a generation, and led the way for other Democrats to win election to the County Board. He had also served as a Village Trustee in Lake in the Hills, and was currently on the Board of Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock.

Jim was a retired Sergeant for the Elk Grove Village Police Department, and father of three. In 2017, Jim was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Democratic Party of McHenry County.

He passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, March 6.

Rest in peace, Jim.


Comments

Former County Board Member James (Jim) P. Kennedy, RIP — 15 Comments

  1. I’d like to express my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s wife and family. I am truly saddened by the news.

    At this late hour, having just heard the news, I have no adequate words to express Jim’s passing. I can only repeat the Irish blessing and know Jimmy’s listening:

    May the road rise up to meet you.
    May the wind always be at your back.
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    And rains fall soft upon you fields.
    Until we meet again,
    May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.

    James P. Kennedy – May God Forever Hold You In The Palm of His Hand -You are missed. Patrick Martin Ouimet.

  2. Anonymous, speaks volumes.

    If Demetri ranked highest on the poll, they would be sending crap out on him.

  3. The last Democrat before Kennedy to be elected the McHenry County Board was Don Doherty.

    I ran into Don about a year ago, he was and hopefully stills bright and chipper with that bright smile of his.

  4. Jim Kennedy was a great guy.

    He represented the resident’s during his time on the McHenry County, and Lake In The Hills Boards, in a very personal, hands on way.

    He was respected by the Lake In The Hills, resident’s.

    The man honestly cared.

    All local Democrat’s would serve themselves well to follow his example.

  5. James had worked as a Supervisor at Elk Grove Village Police Dept, not Schaumburg. He was truly a great
    guy.

  6. Jim Kennedys daughter and mine played soccer together.

    He and I had long conversations about a variety of subjects.

    He could hold a civil conversation with others who held different political views, a trait that is sadly lacking these days.

    I am sad that his dream of retiring to sunny Florida will not happen.

  7. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim Kennedy for many years.

    He was a dedicated public servant and loved helping people to have better lives.

    He was always cheerful and concerned about others.

    Few knew of the serious health concerns that he faced.

    Our world is a little sadder without Jim’s warmth and kindness to greet us all.

    Thank you, Cal, for sharing this important and sad information.

  8. Thank you Cal for the article.

    My Dad was an exceptional husband, father, police SGT, public servant and overall person.

    He accomplished so much throughout his life and his passing has left a true void.

    My Dad fought the good fight for as long as he could.

    He touched many lives throughout his life.

    I’ve been blessed for 30 years to have had him.

  9. Jim was a good guy.

    Worked hard and cared about the good of the county.

    I wish everyone who ran for public office operated from this space.

    Either party- serve the community not yourself.

    Too bad it’s the exception not the rule

  10. James P. Kennedy, 63, of Lake In The Hills passed away March 6, 2018.

    Born in Chicago March 2, 1955 to the late Jerome and Catherine Kennedy.

    Beloved husband of Lynnette nee Markendorf; loving father of Paul (Aiza) Kennedy, Stephen (Jessica) Kennedy and Elizabeth (Michael) Volrath; dear brother of Daniel (the late Patricia) Kennedy, Barbara (Jeffery) Payne, Michael (Andrea) Kennedy, Kathleen Kras and fond uncle of numerous nieces and nephews.

    James was a retired Senior Police Sergeant of the Elk Grove PD, and a retired security officer of the Elk Grove Park District.

    He was also a Village Trustee of Lake In The Hills, as well as chairman of Civilian Operating Board of Valley Hi Nursing Home.

    James was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and served on the McHenry County Board.

    Visitation will be held Friday March 16, 2018 from 3-8pm at Willow Funeral Home 1415 W Algonquin Rd., Algonquin IL.

    Funeral Saturday 9:15 from funeral home for 10am Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church, 1023 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake.

    Interment to follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary IL.

  11. Jim Kennedy was a great County Board Member.

    I had the pleasure of serving alongside him for several years.

    He never let his party affiliation become partisan even though he fought fiercely for policies he believed in – for that I always respected him.

    We debated issues often but always found a way to disagree without being disagreeable – not often achieved in political society.

    He was a class act and will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him or serve along side him.

    God speed, Jim Kennedy, RIP.

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