Kerry M. Kennedy appointed Acting Presiding Judge in the 5th Municipal District

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced yesterday that Kerry M. Kennedy has been appointed as Acting Presiding Judge of the Fifth Municipal District in Bridgeview.

“Judge Kennedy has shown great dedication and knowledge in his years as a judge in the Fifth Municipal District, and I am confident that he will succeed in his new leadership role,” said Judge Evans.

Judge Kennedy was ekected to a countywide vacancy in 2002. After serving several months in the First Municipal District, he was assigned to the Bridgeview courthouse. He has exclusively handled criminal cases during his time at the Fifth Municipal District, and primarily been responsible for felony cases.

Before being elected to the bench, Judge Kennedy served as a Cook County public defender for 23 years, first in Markham and then in Bridgeview.

Born in Oak Park, Judge Kennedy graduated from what is now the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1978. He called today’s appointment “a great honor.”

“I’m extremely honored for Chief Judge Evans to have such confidence in me, and I look forward to serving the people of Cook County,” Judge Kennedy said.

The announcement follows the retirement of former Fifth Municipal District Presiding Judge Raymond L. Jagielski, who was first elected to the bench in December of 1992. Judge Jagielski had served as presiding judge in Bridgeview since April 2011. He had previously served as chairman of the Chicago Board of Elections, as a public defender, and as teacher and football coach for St. Rita of Cascia High School.

“I’d like to thank Judge Evans for the opportunity to be a presiding judge and to thank all the judges I had an opportunity to work with, not only in the Fifth District, but throughout my career as judge,” said Judge Jagielski.

Judge Jagielski's retirement creates a vacancy in the 14th Subcircuit.