Meet Judge Kenton Skarin
Judge Kenton Skarin, candidate for Appellate Court—3rd District covering DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Bureau, and Iroquois Counties
The DGTRO is excited to announce a new series of interviews featuring candidates running for office this November. This series aims to provide voters with a better understanding of the candidates and their platforms. Stay tuned for insightful interviews with the candidates!
Our series starts with Judge Kenton Skarin, a trial court judge, running for Appellate Court—3rd District covering DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Bureau, and Iroquois Counties.
1. What sparked your interest in serving in politics?
I became a judge because we need fair, competent courts, not political hacks. I left a job at one of the largest law firms in the world to help our community have faster, smarter, fairer courts. As a lifelong resident of DuPage County, this community is where I want to make an impact.
2. What accomplishment are you most proud of while in office?
For several years, I've worked hard to have the fastest trial court docket in my courthouse division. No one wants to be in court, and the only thing worse than being in court is being in court a very long time. A hard-working judge lets people have resolution to their problems quickly, saving them time, money, and attorney's fees so they can move on with their lives.
3. What do you wish most voters knew about your position in office?
I bring world-class qualifications to the job. I was first in my class at Northwestern Law, worked for the U.S. Supreme Court, and left one of the largest law firms in the world to serve my hometown and surrounding communities as a judge. I want our courts to be the very best.
4. What are your day-to-day responsibilities in your position?
I am currently a trial court judge for the roughly one million people who live in DuPage County, running for appellate court for a seven-county region covering all of DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Bureau, and Iroquois Counties. Appellate courts are the backstop that corrects any mistakes made in the trial courts.
5. What are your goals for this term in office?
I am running to improve the quality and speed of our appellate court. Too often, cases languish without decisions. My record running the fastest trial court docket in my current courthouse division shows that I can resolve cases for litigants quickly, and my resume shows that I can do it with the best legal abilities available.
6. What is a challenge you currently face in your position?
It saddens me to see the pain and conflict that ordinary people bring to court, and it is even sadder when the dispute resolution process makes those terrible situations worse due to delay and cost. I try every day to resolve cases quickly so that people can stop being in court and go on with their lives.
7. What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your position?
I was born and raised in DuPage County, graduated summa cum laude from North Central College, and married my high school sweetheart, who is also from DuPage County. We are raising our children here because it is one of the best places in America, and we want to keep it that way.
8. In your opinion, what is a hidden gem of a restaurant or business in Downers Grove Township?
I really enjoy the Downtown Downers Grove Market. It's a great place to stroll around and get local food, etc.
9. Please share a website or social media page, where people can find out more, donate or volunteer for your campaign.
www.JudgeKenton.com, www.facebook.com/JudgeKenton, www.linkedin.com/in/kenton-skarin-28b65b17, www.twitter.com/JudgeKenton