William Kinney (Illinois politician)

William Kinney (c. 1781 – December 18, 1843) was an American politician who served as the second Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and briefly as the acting Governor of Illinois.

Kinney was born in Kentucky around 1781. He moved to Illinois Territory and settled near what is now Belleville. He was a prominent Baptist minister, farmer, and businessman.

Kinney was elected as the second Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 1818, serving under Governor Shadrach Bond. As Lieutenant Governor, he presided over the Illinois State Senate. After Bond's resignation on January 14, 1819, due to an illness, Kinney briefly served as the acting Governor of Illinois until the election of Edward Coles later that year.

After his brief tenure as governor, Kinney remained active in Illinois politics. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate.

William Kinney died on December 18, 1843, in Illinois. He is remembered for his service as Lieutenant Governor and acting Governor of Illinois during the state's early years.