Carroll County State’s Attorney Aaron Kaney formally submits resignation

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – Carroll County State’s Attorney Aaron Kaney has formally submitted his resignation to the county board effective March 22.

From 2011 to 2021, Kaney served as an assistant state’s attorney in Carroll County until the county board appointed him State’s Attorney in February 2021 following the resignation of Scott Brinkmeier.

In 2024, Kaney was uncontested when he was elected State’s Attorney as the incumbent Republican candidate.

Kaney told me he applied to be an Associate Judge in Jo Daviess County in December after learning there was an opening.

On Feb. 17, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced that the 15th Judicial Circuit Judges voted to select Kaney as an associate judge.

“I have always wanted to work in public service – and I view the judiciary as the pinnacle of public service in our legal system,” Kaney wrote in an email.

“I am excited and honored to continue serving the public in my new role.”

Kaney will be one of 16 judges in the 15th Circuit, of which covers Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle and Stephenson counties.

Illinois Associate Judges preside over most civil and criminal misdemeanor cases, and are appointed on a merit basis by the Circuit Judges every four years.

HIGH-PROFILE CASES

In 2021, Melissa Trumpy, 37, of Shannon, went missing and hasn’t been seen since. The missing person case is now being investigated as a homicide.

In 2024, Kaney recused his office from a homicide investigation involving two county employees in the death of Jackson Kradle due to the apparent conflict of interest.

In 2025, Kaney ruled officers were justified when they opened fire on a suspect who led them on a pursuit before crashing into multiple homes in Savanna.

“No former or current case had any influence on my decision. It has been a privilege and a honor to serve the people of Carroll County,” Kaney said.

“I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and I will work diligently with my successor, the staff, and other county officials to make sure my responsibilities and the pending cases are handled with excellence.“

In the coming days or weeks, the county board will select and appoint Kaney’s successor. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 5 at 4 p.m.

Kaney will be following the footsteps of his predecessor, Brinkmeier, who was also appointed as Associate Judge for the 15th Circuit, where he remains today in Carroll County, after his own 2021 resignation.

SHARE THIS STORY IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Raising money helps bring more transparency and accountability to government, law enforcement and the justice system in the QCA.