About Steven Q. McKenzie for Cook County Circuit Court Judge
Steven has dedicated his 28-year public interest legal career to advocating for justice and protecting vulnerable communities, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-to-moderate income families. He is widely considered a skilled practitioner in housing law, disability benefits, affordable housing, landlord-tenant relations, community development, neighborhood stabilization, and housing law legislation.
Integrity. Experience. Heart.
About Steven Q. McKenzie for Cook County Circuit Court Judge
Steven has dedicated his 28-year public interest legal career to advocating for justice and protecting vulnerable communities, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-to-moderate income families. He is widely considered a skilled practitioner in housing law, disability benefits, affordable housing, landlord-tenant relations, community development, neighborhood stabilization, and housing law legislation.
Integrity. Experience. Heart.
Ready to Serve Our Cook County Community from the Bench
Steven Q. McKenzie Qualifications
Current Position
diverse legal background
- 19 years at the City of Chicago, Department of Law as Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor, directing the City’s Troubled Building Initiative/Strategic Task Force
- Enforcing safe housing laws
- Stabilizing neighborhoods by working with landlords to improve troubled buildings
- Advising tenant groups and litigating in housing court for their rights
- Working with community-based developers to convert dilapidated and vacant properties into affordable housing
- Shaping Illinois and Chicago legislation by drafting ordinances and statutes in partnership with elected officials
- Presenting testimony on predatory lending, foreclosures, and landlord-tenant laws before the Illinois Senate and House and the Chicago City Council
key prior experience
always about helping
- Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, Director of Litigation and Affordable Housing Preservation leading programs supporting tenants’ rights.
- Legal Aid/Assistance Groups, first as a paralegal and then a lawyer, serving disabled and abused children, low-income families, and HIV/AIDS patients.
- UAW Union Member & Bargaining Team Representative, United Legal Workers of Chicago.
Learn more and connect:
education
legal foundation
- J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law
- B.A., Michigan State University, Minority Majority Group Relations and Urban Community Policy Problems
legal licenses
highly credentialed
- Federal Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- Attorney, Illinois Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- Attorney, Supreme Court of Ohio
testimonial
a friend you can count on
“Steven leads with his whole heart and 100% integrity. He’s been helping people across Cook County, advocating for justice and better lives through public interest housing law, and I cannot imagine a more qualified, caring, dedicated judicial candidate for Cook County. He is selfless, kindhearted, good humored, and has my complete trust.” ~ Gina Bonar, long-time Cook County resident
