Judy K.

I was born and grew up in Berwyn, IL until the age of 13 when I was taken from my family by the Department of Children and Family Services. I was placed in different group homes around the Chicago area particularly being with an agency called Maryville Academy and completed school on a scholarship from this organization.

I graduated from public primary and secondary schools. I am a graduate of John Hersey High School and DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. I have also completed a certificate in Image Manipulation and Design at the The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago. I will begin a joint MBA/MPA shortly.

I spent two years in the Air Force ROTC program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The first year I was a cadet and the second I was a special student. While a cadet I held three corps positions: publications representative, military ball representative, and supply representative. The discipline and core values I learned during training have been helpful in accomplishing other goals.( I also joined the Arnold Air Society Scobee Squadron and earned the rank of C/1Lt and was elected the Public Affairs Officer. Being inducted into this organization was a life changing experience because I took the oath of office during the induction ceremony and took it to heart.

This oath is solemn and I take it seriously in my daily life, but there was still a missing link. That missing link was found when I committed to Jesus. I converted from Catholic to Southern Baptist in January 2007 after being baptized and joining the Immanuel Baptist Church.

I take the values I learned in ROTC, oath, and church covenant seriously in my daily life.

I have a wide range of political experience. I attended the College Democrat Convention in Boston (2004).Though I have worked for Democrats I am politically conservative. In 2008, I will work for the reelection campaign of Sen. Lindsey Graham.