Daniel L. Kennedy
IL · Chief Judge, Twelfth Judicial Circuit (Will County)
Daniel L. Kennedy has been a Will County circuit judge since 2014 and the circuit's chief judge since December 2020, after presiding over the misdemeanor division and serving in the felony division. Before the bench he spent 28 years as a Joliet attorney and part-time public defender.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 4 records
Was elected by his fellow judges to a third two-year term as chief judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit. He has led the circuit since December 2020.
December 2, 2024
Source: shawlocal.com
As chief judge, announced that all civil courtrooms would move into the main Will County Courthouse, so that nearly all county cases would be heard in one building.
July 29, 2022
Source: shawlocal.com
Was kept on the bench by Will County voters in a retention election, 216,905 yes to 77,089 no (about 74 percent yes; 60 percent was needed).
November 3, 2020
Source: assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com
Won election as a Will County circuit judge for a new 2nd Subcircuit seat, defeating Dinah Lennon Archambeault 16,841 votes to 13,457 (about 56 percent).
November 4, 2014
Source: assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 1 favorable
Had the highest score of the nine Will County judges up for retention in the 2020 Illinois State Bar Association lawyer poll. About 93 percent said he meets the requirements for the office, and he led on integrity and impartiality.
September 17, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: patch.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
Was rated Recommended for retention in the 2026 Illinois State Bar Association and Will County Bar Association lawyer poll. Of 92 responding lawyers, about 90 percent said he meets the requirements for the office.
October 8, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: isba.org
Had the highest score of the nine Will County judges up for retention in the 2020 Illinois State Bar Association lawyer poll. About 93 percent said he meets the requirements for the office, and he led on integrity and impartiality.
September 17, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: patch.com
Past race Daniel L. Kennedy ran in:
- Shall Daniel L. Kennedy be retained in office as Judge of the Circuit Court Twelfth Judicial Circuit? · November 3, 2026 · Will County, Illinois · incumbent