McHenry Co. State's Attorney Bianchi might drop re-election bid
Citing personal and family concerns, McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi says he may not run for re-election after all.
Bianchi last week filed his petitions to run for office, but issued a statement Thursday that he will decide in the coming weeks if he is going to withdraw from the Republican primary in March.
"There are personal and family concerns that I am discussing with my family that may impact whether I continue my re-election campaign for 2016," said Bianchi, who has served in the position since 2004.
Candidates can be removed from the primary election ballot until Jan. 13.
In case he does drop his re-election bid, Bianchi said he asked Assistant State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally to run for the top spot. Kenneally, who has worked in the office since 2007, filed his petitions Monday.
"(Kenneally) has extensive experience in prosecuting criminal cases and has been working in civil law for the past two years," Bianchi said. "He is an outstanding lawyer, brilliant writer and the best attorney to continue with the aggressive prosecutions of the last 11 years and the law enforcement programs initiated by the office."
Woodstock attorney Dan Regna, who also filed to run for the state's attorney position Monday, released a statement Thursday saying the office's staff should "remain free of undue political influences."
"I am the only candidate that will reform and refocus that office to do the work of our citizens," Regna said.
Regna was an assistant state's attorney under Bianchi's predecessor and ran unsuccessfully against Bianchi in 2008.
In 2011, Bianchi was acquitted twice of misconduct and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors first claimed in March that Bianchi and his secretary used county resources and staff time for his political campaign. Later that year, Bianchi faced charges alleging he cut deals in criminal cases for defendants that were politically tied to him.
Bianchi was found innocent in both cases. He ran unopposed for re-election in 2012.