Ketki “Kay” Steffen
Kevin Michael O’Donnell
In the days leading up to early voting in the Nov. 8 general election, the Daily Law Bulletin will publish responses to questionnaires sent to candidates in all contested Cook County judicial races. If a candidate did not respond to a request for an updated questionnaire for the general election, the responses provided by the same candidate during the primary election will be used. Campaign finance information comes from Illinois State Board of Elections reports. All responses will be available to subscribers and non-subscribers at chicagolawbulletin.com.
Name: Kevin Michael O’Donnell
Age: 54
Party: Republican
Current residence: Arlington Heights
Current position: President of my law firm, Kevin M. O’Donnell Ltd. in Park Ridge, for nearly 24 years.
Past legal experience: I had positions with two small law firms before opening my own firm.
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $77,138.05
Campaign funds spent, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $76,528.84
Law school: DePaul University College of Law, 1988
Campaign website: ODonnellForJudge.com
Family: I have been married to Cynthia for 25 years and we were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Catherine, Claire and Colleen.
Hobbies/interests: Travel, watching my daughters play in the University of Notre Dame marching band, reading where I constantly search for new and creative authors and ideas and working out.
Have you ever run for office before?
I have never run for office before.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I will keep politics out of the courtroom. Only when we keep politics out of the courtroom can we ensure fair and equal justice for all. I am not part of the political establishment, so I can be counted on to pursue the truth tirelessly and be a thoughtful, fair and impartial judge. My broad range of life and legal experiences has prepared me well to serve as judge. After more than 28 years of being entrusted by over a 1,000 clients, I have the experience necessary to serve as a knowledgeable and well-prepared judge.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I want to serve the public and apply my passion for truth and justice. Community service has always been important and I organized Chicago’s first fire museum and have been its pro bono attorney for the 1,000 members for 17 years. I organized and represent the Chicago Fire Department Charities and am a volunteer attorney for Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind in honor of my late mother.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
This is hard to pick, but a high point was being thrust into a situation with a well-known wealthy family where I succeeded in an in-person presentation to have an heir’s business venture funded. I convinced the company’s CEO, its CFO, the chairman of the board, the general counsel and the elder statesman of the family and was told afterward that the heir was lucky to have me as his attorney.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Building a successful law firm which I opened when my oldest girl was only 3 weeks old. All of my work comes on referral, I have had more than 1,000 clients, and I have balanced that with raising a family. I have given opportunity to young lawyers and I am also very proud of having mentored three young women who wanted to explore a career in the law. All of them trained with me and went on to top law schools.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
The ability to listen with open mindedness without bias coupled with a great passion for justice and the truth. I am able to see both the big picture and the details given my great deal of litigation experience. I will also bring something important that many litigators do not have — my transactional and business matter experience. My training at the No. 1 mediation program in the country will serve me well.
Name: Ketki “Kay” Steffen
Age: 50
Party: Democratic
Current residence: South Barrington
Current position: Cook County circuit judge (appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court effective Nov. 12, 2015)
Past legal experience: Cook County assistant state’s attorney, 19 years; arbitrator, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, two years; circuit judge, three years (2010-2012, 2015-present)
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $9,433.09
Campaign funds spent, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $6,305.47
Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 1991
Campaign website: Steffen4Judge.com
Family: Married to Robert J. Steffen for 20 years; three children: Nicole, 17, Alyssa, 15, Tristan, 11
Hobbies/interests: Reading, gardening, real estate, working for women’s groups/charities
Have you ever run for office before?
Yes. In 2012, for circuit court judge in the 13th Subcircuit.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I hope voters will support my candidacy because I am well-qualified and have practiced as a trial attorney/judge for more than 25 years. My experience is extensive and includes trial work in civil and criminal matters. All bar associations have found me qualified/recommended and to possess good temperament to serve the public. Lastly, I have served the residents of the 13th Subcircuit as a prosecutor and a judge for more than 20 years and will continue to strive to treat all litigants fairly and respectfully.
Why do you want to be a judge?
Unlike other service professions, a judge has the privilege of deciding the fair and equitable manner in which our society dispenses justice and doles out punishment.
I love my service as a judge because my work is challenging, satisfying and allows me to serve others. A judge’s work is challenging and satisfying because deciding right from wrong and doling out sentences or judgment is seldom easy or clear. However, even on the worst day, I appreciate the opportunity I have been given and find it satisfying that my work may help increase people’s trust and respect for our justice system.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
One of the most interesting and challenging cases I handled was People v. Alfredo Hernandez, where the defendant was charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend and fleeing to Mexico. The warrant against the defendant remained active while he was enjoying a full, happy life on foreign soil while the victim’s family awaited justice.
After a very extensive and demanding process that included cooperation and help from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Marshals Service, I was able to successfully overcome the red tape and foreign law protections to extradite Hernandez from Mexico. This case is memorable for me because I looked above and beyond what was available to find a solution and bring justice for my victim.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My work in domestic violence has been my greatest accomplishment. I served as a prosecutor and a judge in (Domestic Violence) court and have handled very serious and sensitive cases that require courage, compassion and an even temperament. After the tragic murder of Cindy Bischof, I was instrumental in the proposal and passage of the Cindy Bischof GPS legislation which allows judges to place tracking bracelets on stalkers and repeat domestic offenders. This legislation (now adopted in Indiana and Michigan) has fundamentally changed the manner in which domestic violence offenders are bonded and has, hopefully, bought added security to victims of abuse and their families.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
As a judge, I am vigilant in maintaining my impartiality on the bench. I endeavor never to rush to judgment and to allow all sides the chance to be heard. As in all matters of life, there is no substitute for hard work and no excuse for bad temperament on the bench. Lastly, based on my family background as an immigrant, a mother and a daughter, I bring a fresh and open minded perspective to the bench.