Patrick Kenneally Slams Ray Flavin in State's Attorney Face-Off

McHenry County’s new top prosecutor earned his spot Tuesday with more than 63 percent of local votes.

Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally trumped Woodstock lawyer Ray Flavin in the race to replace Louis Bianchi, who has been the state's attorney since 2004. Bianchi announced late last year that he would not seek reelection due to family matters.

Kenneally claimed 76,887 votes to Flavin's 44,968, according to McHenry County election results. The state's attorney represents and advises McHenry County and its officials in civil litigation; enforces local ordinances; and represents the people of the state through criminal prosecutors. Its division of prosecutors is responsible for any crime occurring within the county’s jurisdiction that is not traffic related.

McHenry County’s state’s attorney is supported by 32 assistants, and a staff of investigators and victim and witness coordinators.

A domestic violence prosecutor and resident of Crystal Lake, Kenneally is new to the political scene. He has been a McHenry County assistant state’s attorney for nine years.

If elected, he has his sights set on mitigating the county’s growing drug and heroin problems; cracking down on repeat drunken drivers; supporting term limits; and continuing the “aggressive prosecution of violent and sexually dangerous offenders,” according to his campaign website.

“In my nine years as a criminal prosecutor, I have faced the challenge of fighting crime in McHenry County,” Kenneally said. “I participated in the prosecution of hundreds of violent offenders and delivered justice, putting the criminals behind bars and making our communities safer.”

Kenneally also vows to tirelessly seek justice to ensure safety for McHenry County families and maintain the highest moral and ethical standards. He has shared plans to slash the office’s annual budget by $300,000, or 10 percent, through staffing cuts, a hiring freeze and the adoption of computer software that he says will decrease office supply needs.

Photos courtesy of campaign Facebook pages for Patrick Kenneally (left) and Ray Flavin (right).