This wa one of the funniest guys I know. For the family condolences.  This guy made 3-11 interesting and fun. This loss has affected me deeply. I am greatful for being able to know him

As I sit here reading the beautiful memories being shared about our friend Jimmy K., I can’t help but smile. I’ve known Jimmy for just over ten years, and to me, he was everyone’s big brother — whether you liked it or not. He always had a joke ready, never held back when you needed a reality check, and was the first to support or congratulate you when you were on the right path. I’ll deeply miss our conversations, and above all, I’ll forever miss my friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all who loved him.

I met Jimmy my first day on 3-11, I was on stateville side n never worked nrc, he was relieving unit i was assigned to n saw look of relief on his face....he was so ready to give up keys to me n jet....n then I was like ok what's going on....I've never been here before....he looked at my name tag n said are you Jonny's wife...I said yup...n I saw a deep breath come out n he showed me paper work...n I caught on quick...but he was cool about everything even though I could sense he wanted outta there like a bat outta hell...I'll always remember how he looked out for me, n I'm sure the Joliet loyalty had something to do with it....he embraced me as a rookie, got to go to some 3-11 get together, including trailer park fish frys....even tho they thought I was just soccer mom.  I got close with people I worked with from thereout....Pulido, Reighter, Moore, Lemons, Sgt. B.Sullivan aka superman, n many others....I also got pleasure of being his dear wife Laura's officer....n now still one of my best friends...I know when she first met me she was like oh God whos this one....n I asked what you need from me and she said quiet...n quiet she got...I almost broke down today cause im in health care n had to yell the infamous "QUIET".... Jon n I love both of you and this is so heartbreaking....Jon had training with Jimmy few weeks ago and he's still distraught.....But love you....n even when Jimmy called me a dumb Pollack..... Friends are FOREVER 

I knew Jim for almost 26 years.  His sarcastic sense of humor always made me laugh! I met him shortly after starting at Joliet on one of the weirdest nights of my life, I got stuck at he and and his roommates apartment and he came in off midnights into the chaos. We joked about that experience for years 🤣 He really loved his wife and family and he will be missed by so many people whose lives he touched.

Godspeed B-side.

My condolences to Family and Friends.  🙏🏽 James was a wonderful  coworker of mine for 19+ years.  Always courteous and respectful.  Will be missed.

Hi Laura just wanted to say im Really missing Kercinik!!! Missing our talks about Tv shows and me asking him what he cooked for lunch. I always said to him I'm going cook like you when I grow up. Easy meals he would say it is easy. And then he tell me what he would do. I miss his Sarcasm, Jokes and his honesty. Praying for Healing and Strength during this time for you and Family. Laura I'm Here for you if you ever need anything 🙏🏾❤️

My favorite memory of Jim was from our wedding. I wish I remembered the exact song - but Jim got out on the dance floor and he was the best dancer there. Everyone took notice and loved it. My friends from college were all so impressed. He was so cute and he was so much fun. I’ll never forget that - he had this talent I didn’t know about - he was so good! 

I’m so deeply sorry for this loss - I will remember Jim’s smile and his great laugh.

And I’m thinking so much of Laura and Luke. I’m praying for comfort and peace. It’s so nice to read of his lasting memory.  

I had the pleasure to work with James (or Jimmy K as we all know knew him by) for over a decade. During that time, he was instrumental in helping me introduce policies, procedures and make the workplace a better (more fun?) place. He was a guy you could always count on to brighten your day. His smile and laugh was contagious. 

From being a brand new lieutenant to being promoted to the confidential commander of tactical response and intelligence, I would always refer back to Jimmy K for insight and opinions on various points of concerns. When we weren’t discussing work, we would have long conversational about music, TV shows, video games, comic books, everything. 

The news of Jimmy K’s passing truly breaks my heart and I can’t imagine the pain his family is enduring. Jimmy K was a good friend and I will miss him greatly. Laura and Luke, I hope you find peace in knowing he was a positive influence to everyone he met and that he always spoke of you often and with much love. 

Jimmy K., what can i say....you are one of the most genuine and truly good people I have had the pleasure to know. 

Since the closure, I got to go back to the NRC where it all started and got to see Jimmy K. regulalry again and his friendship and genuine self had not waivered one bit. We got to talk about all the thing we loved like nerd stuff, politics, life, hockey, family and jokes a plenty! Not to mention the occasional race on the way home, which I like to think, we always tied. Not to mention the countless late nite hours of gaming where we always crowned! 

Laura and Luke, I hope that you find peace and comfort in these trying times. He will NEVER be forgotten and always remembered as he should be! 

My condolences to Jim’s family.   I will remember Jim as my classmate, friend, and brother.   He will be forever missed.  

3-11 Crew

I knew Jim since we worked at Joliet CC.  Always friendly and kind.  He will be missed.  My sincere condolences to his family and close friends 🙏🏻🙏🏻

I have worked with Jim since our Joliet days.  He was always telling jokes and keeping us all laughing.  He will be truly missed.  So sorry for the families loss.  

I worked with Jim at Stateville for the past five years and am grateful to have been given the opportunity to have gotten to know Jim. The Kercinik that I knew for the past five years was a man of amazing character. He was somebody who was a hard worker, consistent, welcoming, polite, respectful, and funny.  If I had a list of ten people at the job that I respected the most he would be on that list. I enjoyed our political conversations. They were very insightful and thought provoking. My favorite bible verse is 1Corinthians 16:14 which is "do everything in love". I genuinely believe that everyday that Kercinik came to work this was the type of behavior that he exemplified. Thank you for all the smiles and laughs. You will be missed  ❤️

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" 

-Matthew 5:9

My prayers and condolences to his family, friends and our coworkers. This is so heartbreaking. You will truly be missed. Great personality, always smiling and always was nice to me. You use to always give me multiple breaks and long breaks at the interlock because you knew I needed to move around a little bit.. When I use to fuss and complain about the job you always cheered me up and said something that would calm me down and had me to think about it. You always had nice things to say to me. I remember when you were excited talking about when you bought your house and when you got married. The look in your eyes was so exciting and happy. You always spoke positive and made funny jokes. We will All Miss you. You were loved by so many people. 

Over this last year of being at the NRC I have grown close to Jimmy. We would joke every day. He would always make a point to see how I was doing and how my family was doing. Id run into him at the gym on occasion and he would keep me motivated. We raced to work almost every day as we would get on 80 about the same time. Id never win...nor did I ever have a chance. Lol. Jimmy was special. He was opinionated and was never afraid to speak his mind. He would tell me stories about back in the day at Joliet and how it was back then. It was always a boring day if Jimmy wasn't around. Jimmy talked about his family every day and you both are so wonderful from the stories he would share with me. Laura and Luke - I am so deeply sorry for your loss and I wish you comfort and strength during this difficult time. You will be in my thoughts. Jimmy will never be forgotten.

To Jim’s wife and son - 

We never met but Jim spoke of you to me with love and pride.  He was a great friend at work and I loved seeing him every day. Wishing you strength and comfort  

Jimmy, you are loved by so many. You touched our lives and left us with amazing memories to hold onto.  You made me smile and laugh and even break the speed limit a few times trying to keep up with you-lol  

“It doesn’t matter what you love. Could be a person, could be a thing - as long as you love it totally, completely, and without judgement.” - 

Norm from Cheers

Love you Jimmy!