Marmarie Kostelny: Candidate Profile

Back to Kane County Circuit Court-16th circuit, 3rd subcircuit

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: ElginWebsite: www.judgekostelny.blogspot.comOffice sought: Kane County Circuit Court-16th circuit, 3rd subcircuit Age: 53Family: Single Adoptive Mother of 2Occupation: Associate JudgeEducation: 1978 Elgin High School 1982 B.A. History Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois1985 J.D. DePaul University- College of LawCivic involvement: Vestry (Board) Church of the Redeemer-Served two termsPrairie State Legal Services - Board of Directors Adjunct Professor- Elgin Community College- Paralegal Studies ProgramElected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions 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 I have experience to bring to the role of Circuit Judge. I can take the things I have learned as an associate judge and put them into practice as a Circuit Judge. I am motivated to be a good judge. I aspire to be like the great judges I have learned from. I seek to continue to bring justice and fairness to Kane County. I had an early insight into the judiciary. As a law student, I was selected to be a legal research assistant to the judges of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in Kane County. Instead of just reading about it, I saw judges doing their jobs. I saw how dedicated judges applied current law to the facts of each case. I also learned how other judges allowed personal bias or an unwillingness to study the law affect their decisions. One respected judge I served taught me this valuable lesson that is my daily motivation: Be beholden to no person, but fair to all persons.From the perspective of an attorney, I saw judges who were fair and committed to justice. I represented municipalities, library districts, park districts, and individual clients with diverse legal needs. I served as a city prosecutor in McHenry County for over ten years. In 1991, I became a partner at Zimmerman, Smith Kostelny. As a small business owner I experienced both the challenges and rewards of running a successful small business. These experiences taught me to be a good advocate, and to resolve disputes. But the compassion and sense of fairness a good judge must employ requires much more. I am motivated to use my experience as an associate judge in connection with new responsibilities as a Circuit Judge.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?The primary distinguishing factor between my opponent and I is that I am a judge with seven years of experience on the bench and a proven track record. Many retired judges and distinguished attorneys who have had the opportunity to observe me as an associate judge have offered their endorsements.In 2006, I was appointed an associate judge in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. Since my appointment to the bench, I have served in a number of assignments. Initially, I was assigned to Traffic/Misdemeanor Court. I served in the Family Court for three years. In January 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the Special Supreme Court Committee on Child Custody Issues. I continue to serve on this committee to develop, recommend and implement procedures to streamline the resolution of custody and related issues. For the past three years, I have been assigned to the Criminal Felony Division. Currently, I am also the presiding judge for the Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court.I have served on the Judiciary in Kane County for more than seven years as well as serving my community for many years as an attorney in private practice and as a prosecutor. I have worked on both sides of the bench and both sides of the aisle. I have learned that not every good lawyer can be a good judge. I am seeking the Republican nomination for Circuit Judge because I am a good judge. I will bring to the position of Circuit Judge a level of experience that my opponent simply cannot.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I have had a variety of life experiences. I have had to face challenges and overcome obstacles. Due to my father's death when I was in high school and my need to pay for my education on my own, I learned the value of hard work and persistence. Through my own diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, I learned the value of trust and compassion. As a mother of two adopted children who are now adults, and as the caregiver for my elderly mother, I have learned patience, respect and what matters in life. I feel you should know that these experiences give me a much broader perspective of the challenges and experiences those who appear before me face.I was a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I was a small business owner. I worked for and learned from many experienced judges. I am a parent, a teacher, a cancer survivor, and a judge.