McHenry County judge accused of speeding 93 mph in 55 mph zone pleads guilty to lesser offense

A McHenry County judge charged in June with driving his motorcycle almost 40 mph over the speed limit pleaded guilty to a lesser offense Tuesday and already has completed 40 hours of public service, his defense attorney said.

Associate Judge Jeffrey L. Hirsch, 55, was accused of driving at least 35 mph over the speed limit, according to the citation and complaint filed in McHenry County court by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, which alleged that on June 10 he was driving his Harley-Davidson motorcycle 93 mph in a 55 mph zone north on Route 47 in Hebron Township.

Hirsch completed his 40 hours of public service at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and traffic safety school. In exchange, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office agreed to reduce the charge to speeding 21 to 25 mph over the speed limit, a petty offense, not a misdemeanor, Hirsch’s attorney George Kililis said. This disposition avoids a conviction appearing on Hirsch’s record that could have resulted in a loss of driving privileges and higher insurance rates. He also will have court supervision for 100 days and was ordered to pay a $75 fine, the attorney said.

Kililis also said Hirsch’s case was resolved the same as any other client that Kililis has had in the past five years facing the same charge. When Hirsch first hired Kililis, the judge instructed Kililis “not to seek an exceptional deal,” he said.

Hirsch told Kililis that he wanted no “preferential treatment. He’s a judge, and no crime could be worse than that. I respect and love him for that,” Kililis said. “Usually, people want me to get them the best deal. He didn’t want to be treated any better or worse than anybody else.”

Kililis said Hirsch “remains devoted to upholding the rule of law and applying it equally to everyone. He cooperated with an impartial legal process and accepted responsibility for his conduct and a fair outcome that included a fine, traffic safety course and volunteer public service work.”

Kililis said the offense has no effect on Hirsch’s position as a judge. Hirsch did not lie or steal, or do anything corrupt or unethical – he just drove too fast, Kililis said.

“Obviously, he is going to slow down after this,” Kililis said.

Referring to Hirsch’s motorcycle crashing as he tried to stop, Kililis said the judge “greatly appreciates the proficient assistance from sheriff’s deputies and EMT responders.”

“This incident is a reminder that speeding poses a risk to public safety and is often a factor in motor vehicle accidents,” Kililis said.

The plea took place over Zoom and was presided over by Kane County Judge Julio César Valdez, who was selected to oversee Hirsch’s case, according to court documents.