One of us!

A.J. Wilhelmi was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, by his parents, Mary Beth and Art Wilhelmi. Wilhelmi’s father was a dentist in Joliet for 40 years and his mother a homemaker who was very active in community concerns. Wilhelmi has 3 sisters and 2 brothers, one of whom is Steve Wilhelmi, current County Board member from District 9. Wilhelmi’s ancestors came to Joliet in the mid to late 19th Century. Wilhelmi’s grandfather owned a tire store on Cass Street in Joliet for many years. Wilhelmi’s grandmother, Rachel Adler, took over as President of Adler Roofing in the 1930s after the premature death of Wilhelmi’s grandfather, Joe Adler, Sr. Eventually, after raising her 3 young children, Rachel Adler turned the roofing company over to her son, Joe Adler, Jr. The roofing company is thriving with Wilhelmi’s first cousins, Chris, Mike and Jay Adler, at the helm.

Wilhelmi attended St. Paul the Apostle elementary school and Joliet Catholic High School. In 1986, Wilhelmi enrolled at Loyola University of Chicago, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a major in English and minors in Philosophy and Political Science. In 1990, Wilhelmi enrolled at Chicago-Kent College of Law. In the summer of 1991, Wilhelmi clerked for the Joliet law firm McKeown, Fitzgerald, Zollner, Buck, Hutchison & Ruttle. In June 1993, Wilhelmi gradu! ated from Chicago-Kent. After passing the Illinois State Bar Examination in October, Wilhelmi was sworn in as an attorney on November 3, 1993.

On November 4, 1993, Wilhelmi began his law practice with the McKeown Law Firm, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2000. On January 1, 1999, the McKeown Law Firm promoted Wilhelmi to partner. Wilhelmi has a real estate and business law practice. With regard to his real estate practice, Wilhelmi represents clients in residential and commercial sales and purchases, zoning issues and commercial leases.

Committed to the Community!
Wilhelmi has been active in the Joliet and Will County community since returning to the area to practice law. In 1996, Wilhelmi co-sponsored the building of the 13th Will County Habitat for Humanity home, and served on the Family Support Committee. Wilhelmi has also been a VIP Host for the Easter Seals Telethon for the past 5 years. Last year, he was asked to anchor a 2-hour spot as Master of Ceremonies. Wilhelmi has been active with the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. From 1996 to 2001, he served on the steering committee for the communit! y leadership school. In January 1999, Wilhelmi was appointed to the board of directors for the Joliet Region Chamber, and for the years 2000 and 2001 served as Vice Chair. In 2002, Wilhelmi served as Chair-Elect, and in 2003 as Chair of the Board. In October 2004, the Joliet Area Young Professionals, a division of the Chamber, recognized Wilhelmi as the first recipient of the Young Professional of the Year Award. In 2001 and 2002, Wilhelmi chaired the Diplomats Committee for the Will County Center for Economic Development. Wilhelmi has also been active with his alma mater, Joliet Cat holic Academy. Wilhelmi served on the JCA Alumni Board from 1994 to 2002. He served as Treasurer in 1996-97, Vice President from 1997 to 1999, and President from 1999-00 to 2000-01. Wilhelmi also served for three years (1998, 1999, 2000) as Community Division Chair for the YMCA Annual Sustaining Campaign, which solicits funds from the area to allow underprivileged children and families to attend the YMCA. Wilhelmi has volunteered his time with the Joliet Grade Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence. He served as Vice President of the Foundation Board for 2003-2004. Wilhelmi was also a member of the Joliet Rotary Club from 1998 to 2005.! He was the Sergeant at Arms for 2003-2004.

Proud to be a Democrat!
Wilhelmi has also been active in the local Democratic Party. When in college and law school, he helped with Jack McGuire’s campaign for State Representative, and walked precincts for Jack. Then in 1998, his brother Steve ran for County Board (District 6). Wilhelmi donated time and money to his brother’s campaign, and walked precincts, worked parades, placed signs in yards, sent friend to friend cards, and met with volunteer groups to get the message out for Steve. Wilhelmi’s brother prevailed in that election. Also during this election year, Wilhelmi worked for the ! entire slate of candidates, including Larry Walsh for State Senate. In 2002, Steve ran for County Treasurer, and again Wilhelmi actively campaigned for Steve. While working with Steve in 2002, Wilhelmi also walked precincts with Jeff Allen, along with groups in Bolingbrook, Lockport, Crest Hill, New Lenox, Shorewood, and Joliet. In addition, Wilhelmi was also asked to work as Senator Dick Durbin’s campaign coordinator in 2002. Wilhelmi worked to spread the word that Senator Durbin should be reelected to the U.S. Senate. In 2004, Wilhelmi again sup! ported his brother Steve in his quest to retain the county board seat from District 9, which was successful. Also in 2004, Wilhelmi was on a committee that hosted a fundraiser for Senator Barack Obama. Wilhelmi contributed money and time to Senator Obama’s campaign. Wilhelmi also walked door to door with literature for Larry Walsh and the entire slate of candidates in 2004, both local and statewide. Wilhelmi is proud to be a Democrat.

Leader in the Senate!
As a current member of the Illinois Senate, Wilhelmi serves as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Conservation Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Housing and Community Affairs, Local Government and Appropriations II and III committees.

Dedicated to Family!
Wilhelmi lives in Joliet with his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Maycen and Laine. Wilhelmi and his family are parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet, where he is a lector. In his spare time, Wilhelmi enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading motivational books and golfing.