Family
Joe and his wife Lynn have lived all 30+ years of their entire married and working lives on the Near West Side of Springfield and raised their children there. Their son Ed has written and reported on city government in Peoria, Pekin, Elmhurst, and Downers Grove, Ill for 6 years and now edits a manufacturing trade journal, and their daughter Carolyn is a U of I graduate, as are Joe and Lynn. Carolyn is now teaching at Centennial High School in Champaign. Joe’s wife Lynn has 30 years of teaching experience and now teaches 2 afternoons a week at Iles Elementary School and volunteers at Butler School and the Compass After School Program at Graham Elementary School.
Work Experience
- Self-employed private practice attorney for 24 years, concentrating in small business and tax matters
- General Counsel and Legislative Liaison, IL Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs
- Manager, Income Tax Legal Division, IL Dept. of Revenue
- Enforcement Attorney, IL EPA
- U.S. Army JAG Officer for 23 years, and enlisted as Heavy Vehicle Officer for 7 years
Community Service
- Illinois Army National Guard – 30 years – Afghanistan tour
- MacArthur Boulevard Business Association
- Greater Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce – 15 years; Chair of the Government Affairs Committee
- Inner City Older Neighborhoods; drafted by-laws
- Downtown Springfield, Inc. – 10 years; Image and Design Committee 1999-2004, improving downtown block by block
- Kiwanis Downtown Springfield – 20 years; President in 2002
- Illinois Government Bar Association; Founding Officer 1988, President 2015-2016
- Youth sports coach, soccer and basketball – 20+ seasons
- VFW Post 755 Officer – American Legion Post 32 Trustee
Education
- University of Illinois 1975 – Economics, History & English
- Southern Illinois University Law School 1979
- U.S. Army Enlisted, NCO and Officer Schools
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 