The McHenry County circuit court clerk, who has served in the position for over 15 years, has been awarded Illinois’ County Official of the Year after being nominated for the award.
Illinois Association of Court Clerks President Lisa Fallon nominated McHenry County Circuit Court Clerk Kathy Keefe for the Illinois Association of County Officials “County Official of the Year” 2023 award.
Keefe also received nominations from McHenry County’s chief judge and former McHenry County Board chairwoman Tina Hill.
Keefe, a lifelong McHenry County resident, has worked in county government for 36 years and has been McHenry County circuit court clerk for over 15 years.
Keefe pushed to make McHenry County court records available online and was one of the first circuit clerks in the state to move to electronic filing, her nomination said.
She eliminated paper court files from all courtrooms in 2019, which she said improved operating efficiency.
“Many in the Illinois Association of Court Clerks, including me, continue to seek her wisdom and advice in navigating the Circuit Clerk world,” Fallon said.
Keefe was presented with the award during the Illinois Association of County Officials banquet last month.
“Kathy exemplifies what it means to be a public service and to not play politics. Regardless of your political party, Kathy is always welcoming and available to help other clerks in the state,” Fallon added.