Patrick Kenneally named McHenry County first assistant state's attorney

WOODSTOCK – Patrick Kenneally has been named first assistant state’s attorney, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announced.

A prosecutor for nine years, Kenneally will replace former First Assistant State's Attorney Donna Kelly, who resigned from her position last week.

“As first assistant, Kenneally’s passion for the mission of this office by seeking justice for the citizens of McHenry County is paramount,” Bianchi said in a statement.

Kenneally helped launch the McHenry County Opioid Awareness Initiative, a program that will aid in supplying all police departments in McHenry County with Narcan this month, according to a news release.

Kenneally also is working to implement software that would allow police to obtain electronic warrants, according to a news release. Electronic warrants could be used to combat drunken driving by allowing police to quickly obtain warrants to collect blood samples for DUI suspects who refuse Breathalyzer tests.

Bianchi has previously endorsed Kenneally, who is running as the Republican candidate for state's attorney. Kenneally defeated Dan Regna in the March primary. Bianchi announced last year he was not going to run for a fourth term.

Kenneally will face attorney Democratic candidate Ray Flavin, a Woodstock DUI lawyer, in the November election. Flavin was selected last month by the Democratic Party after attorney James Harrison dropped out of the race to care for his ailing mother.