Randi Freese was sworn in as McHenry County’s new state’s attorney, the first woman in the role, after Patrick Kenneally suddenly withdrew from running for reelection earlier this year.
Freese was sworn in to office on Monday. The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office said Freese brings a “wealth of experience” to the role.
She has been with the office her entire legal career, since 2008.
Freese began her journey as an intern, working her way up through the ranks and prosecuting a variety of cases, including the criminal case against two DCFS caseworkers who handled the AJ Freund investigations.
“Her dedication, expertise, and integrity have earned her a reputation as a tough, talented, and thorough prosecutor. We are eager to serve the people of McHenry County under Randi Freese’s new administration,” the state’s attorney’s office said Monday.
Freese, who was McHenry County First Assistant State’s Attorney, announced her run for office in April after McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally, who won the Republican primary, dropped out of the race.
Kenneally said in a statement that he decided to remove himself from the 2024 race for McHenry County state’s attorney and that he would leave the office at the end of his term.
“I love the job and will carry with me an abiding sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to represent the wonderful people of McHenry County,” Kenneally said in April.
“After protracted conversations with family and friends, considerable prayer, non-stop agonizing, and having taken stock of the life’s immediate challenges, which include raising four young children and caring for two ailing parents, I have concluded that I cannot commit to undertaking four more years with the same vigor that I have endeavored to devote over the last eight and that the formidable job of state’s attorney demands,” he said.
Kenneally said he believes that McHenry County has the best state’s attorney’s office in the state.
He called the attorneys in his office “talented” and “wonderful people” and said the office is well-equipped to serve residents and crime victims.
“The only thing that has made the lead-heavy burden of this decision bearable is that there is someone of unassailable character and talent who has decided to seek the approval of the Republican Party in filling my vacancy as candidate,” Kenneally said, adding that Freese “will do truly great things.”
Kenneally won the Republican primary election in March after running unopposed. He was first elected as state’s attorney in 2016.
Freese, who ran unopposed in the general election, called Kenneally and former state’s attorney Louis Bianchi, who hired her out of law school, her “two great mentors.”
Freese had been the Chief of the Criminal Division from February 2019 until September 2021, at which time she became the First Assistant State’s Attorney.