Keith L. Spence
Keith L. Spence

Name: Keith L. Spence

Age: 54

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Matteson

Current position: Attorney, Law Office of Keith L. Spence

Past legal experience: Trial Attorney, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, two years; administrative law judge, Dolton, six years; administrative law judge, Matteson, five years; private practice, 17 years.

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections

Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 1999

Campaign website: spence4judge.com

Family: Married for 23 years, two sons, 12 and 16.

Hobbies/interests: Golf

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I have been a practicing criminal and family law attorney for 19 years. I am from the South Side of Chicago, and my life experience has prepared me well to serve as judge because I understand the major impact that the decisions that judges make have on our communities.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I want to be a judge because I want to be more of a part of the solution of the problems that afflict our communities. As an attorney, I can only impact the clients that I represent. As judge, I will have the opportunity to have a greater impact on the administration of justice in a fair and equitable manner.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

I was the defense attorney in the first extended media coverage case in the history of Cook County. It was interesting not only because of the cameras that were constantly on in the courtroom, but because the case raised issues with the Illinois felony murder rule that I believe the appellate court will address.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment was opening and maintaining my own law office for 17 years. I have been able to help hundreds of individuals get through some of the most difficult times in their lives.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

The qualities that I bring to the bench is a sense of compassion and an understanding that people make mistakes in their lives but often need direction and not always prison for non-violent offenses. I am independent and being from the South Side of Chicago, I am not afraid to make the tough decisions when they need to be made.