Coroner Jennifer Banek, of Green Oaks, grew up in Mundelein and graduated from Mundelein High School. After leaving the area for a time, she returned to raise her children. She has two daughters, Emma and Lillian, and two stepsons, Gabe and Luke. Husband Rafal Banek is a nurse anesthesiologist in the Naval Reserves.

Jennifer Banek has been a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist since 2009. She provides anesthesia to patients in preparation for surgery and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Board of Directors and a past president of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
 
She has a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing from DePaul University and her nurse anesthesia training was at NorthShore School of Nurse Anesthesia in Evanston. Her Bachelor's degree in biology is from Illinois State University. Before becoming a nurse anesthesiologist, Jennifer Banek was a nurse at Condell Medical Center.
 
Prior to running for Coroner, Jennifer Banek was a trustee on the Cook Memorial Public Library District, comprised of Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills and Cook Park Library in Libertyville.