Bob Kleeman: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.electjudgekleeman.comOffice sought: DuPage County Circuit Court-18th circuit Age: 51Family: Father of two childrenOccupation: DuPage County Circuit JudgeEducation: University of Illinois B.S.University of Illinois J.D.Civic involvement: Parishioner St. Elizabeth #8211; Seton Parish #8211; Naperville Youth basketball and soccer couch Naperville Park DistrictMember DuPage County Bar Association Elected offices held: In 2013, I was appointed DuPage County Circuit Court Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court and am now running for that position.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: In 1978, at the age of 16, I was given a citation for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I am running for this office because of my commitment to public service and the legal profession. My legal career began as an Assistant State's Attorney in DuPage County, where I became the supervisor of the unit responsible for prosecuting Child Abuse and Felony Domestic Violence Cases. Subsequently, I joined Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan's Office, becoming Chief of the Criminal Division, supervising more than sixty prosecutors statewide. I have also engaged in the private practice of law including the operation of my own law firm. Having been a judge since 2008, I now sit in a felony courtroom. Since 1998, I have been a trial advocacy instructor for the Illinois State's Attorneys Association and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola University since 2003. Serving as a Circuit Court Judge, allows me! an opportunity to bring my legal experience to bear while serving the citizens of DuPage County.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I believe my legal background differentiates me from my opponent. As an attorney and as a judge I have tried more than 90 jury trials. These cases have ranged from misdemeanor charges to the most serious felony cases. I have served as an Associate Judge from 2008 to 2013. In February 2013, I was unanimously appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the position of Circuit Court Judge. I believe a Circuit Judge should have a proven track record of handling the challenging issues that regularly arise in our courtrooms.