| Judge William J. Kunkle Judge William J. Kunkle serves in the Criminal Division presiding over felony cases. He was elected to the bench in 2004. Prior to becoming a judge he was a partner at a Major Chicago Law Firm, Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon. Previously he was a partner with Cahill, Christian & Kunkle and Phelan Pope & John, both prominent Chicago litigation firms. He tried many noteworthy cases, both civil and criminal, in both the State and Federal Courts. He also served as Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board from 1990 to 1993 and as Deputy Special Outside Counsel to the Committee on Official Conduct of the United States House of Representatives in the Matter of Speaker James C. Wright, Jr. He served as an Assistant State’s Attorney of Cook County from 1973 to 1985, leaving the office as First Assistant State’s Attorney. He was the Chief Prosecutor in the case of Illinois v. John Gacy, who was convicted of 33 murders and was executed in 1994. From 1970 to 1973 he served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 1963. Bill worked for three years as an engineer with Union Carbide Corporation and then attended Northwestern University School of Law, graduating with a J.D. Degree in 1969. ...for more information, click here |
