ABOUT ME
Rick Munoz
I am a widowed husband and now a single father to my 4 amazing children, ages 8, 11, 14, and 19. My wife recently passed away in April of 2019, she was a wonderful mother, wife and my soul mate. We shared the same goals and values for our children and for our community. Together our passion was to make a difference and stand up for our future generations and protect their rights.
I grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as the oldest of 5 children. I moved to Will County in March of 2000 and have been a full-time Illinois resident since August 1995. I graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law and started my career at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office as an Assistant State’s Attorney. I worked in Juvenile court in the Abuse and Neglect division followed by the DUI courtroom and represented the State prosecuting misdemeanors and traffic violations.
After my time at Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, I went on to practice law at Hart & Sheen in St. Charles. I received experience not only in criminal defense but also in bankruptcy, personal injury, workman’s compensation, small claims, and family law. In 2002 I formed Gustafson & Muñoz and focused my practice on criminal law, traffic law, family law, real estate, and Secretary of State Hearings to reinstate driving privileges.
Since 2002, I tried over 50 cases by Jury and proceeded to Bench trial in hundreds of cases. I have tried a variety of cases such as Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery, Domestic Battery, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Controlled Substances, Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, and several others.
In 2014 I established The Law Firm of Rick Munoz in Joliet and continued to practice Family Law and Criminal Law with several hearings and trials in Family court as well as practicing before the 3rd District Appellate Court of appeals. I am a founding member of the Latino Bar Association of Will County and most recently became President of the association. I am also a member in the Illinois State Bar Association and Will County Bar Association and an active member of the Will County Criminal Law committee.
During my time as an attorney in Will County, I noticed that there were serious systemic defects and that our county, community, and our future generation needs a positive change! We need to end the corruption, end the nepotism, end the injustice that has plagued our county for so long and STOP ALL THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS. As State’s Attorney I will be your watchdog and STAND up for people’s rights, our victim’s rights, as well as accountability through presence, communication, and a flatter organizational structure. I am ready for a change…Are you?
Accomplishments
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 1987 -1992
Northern Illinois University 1992-1995
Assistant State's Attorney in Kane County June 1996 to October 1997
Associate Attorney at Hart & Sheen, P.C. in St. Charles, IL
Partner in Gustafson & Muñoz April 2002 to September 2014
Principle attorney for The Law Firm of Rick Muñoz from October 2014 to Present.