Will County Gazette

Serving as a member of the Will County Board for the past eight years has been an enriching experience for Kenneth Harris.

“I have learned so much regarding Will County government, the Forest Preserve of Will County and all of the people – residents, staff, other elected officials, constituents and visitors,” Harris told Will County Gazette. “One of my favorite things about serving on the board is attending the committee and board meetings. It’s very gratifying to know what’s all involved in preparing and conducting these meetings. Especially knowing that the residents voted you in to conduct business on their behalf. This is one of the distinguishing factors between a politician and an elected official.”

Harris has been a board member for Will County since 2012 and represents the residents of District 4.

Will County Board member Kenneth Harris | Facebook

“I chose to serve on the Will County Board because I was asked,” he said. “My goals as part of the Will County Board include but are not limited to being accountable, making decisions that are in the best interest of the residents of my district as well as Will County, and working and understanding the needs of my fellow board members and elected officials.”

Harris is an active member of the community and serves as a volunteer for the Illinois CPA Society Junior Achievers, treasurer for Diamond Youth Foundation, volunteer tax preparer for the Center of Economic Progress, and basketball coach for Bolingbrook Community Basketball, the Heart Haven Organization (H2O), Illinois Trojan Travel Basketball, and Romeoville Community Basketball. He is also involved with FANS (Friends and Neighbors Supporting Students) through Bolingbrook High School and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Guide Right Program. 

“Helping the community is very important,” Harris said. “So much is needed and we can’t just rely on a person’s home or school. Homelessness, single-parent homes, job loss, crime and drugs are some of the things that make living a basic life challenging. Everyone needs a helping hand here and there.”

Harris was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and relocated to Illinois when he was 5 years old. He is currently a Bolingbrook resident and holds a bachelor of arts degree in accounting from Augustana College. He is a licensed certified public accountant and retired from the State of Illinois in September 2018 after 31 years of services. 

Harris enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and networking.