chicago tribune state's attorney endorsement

Alvarez, who has worked in the office for nearly three decades, was previously endorsed by the Tribune in 2008 and 2012. It will take a change in state law to make that happen, but Raoul says his team has made recommendations to the General Assemblys Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to broaden the AGs authority over corruption cases, as well as to ramp up the powers of the Legislative Inspector Generals Office. We believe Toni Preckwinkle has been an effective fiscal steward of Cook County, overall, and a competent manager in the massive countys various areas of jurisdiction, from corrections to transportation to public health. Running against Raoul are Schaumburg lawyer Daniel Robin, a Libertarian, and downstate lawyer Thomas DeVore, who defeated Deerfield attorney Steve Kim and former Cook County prosecutor David Shestokas in the Republican primary in June. Former Kane County prosecutor Jamie Mosser has decided to run for Kane County state's attorney in the 2020 election. -Duckworth has received endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald. The loss of some experienced prosecutors from the office during her term is troubling, and so is the fact that she has not even acknowledged the strained relationship between her office and the police department, much less tried to mend it. When Democrat Kwame Raoul took over as state attorney general in January 2019, we hoped he would chart a different course and assume a larger role in going after corruption. That is not the entirety of this job. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a campaign event on Aug. 25, 2022, at a Jackson County Democrats dinner in Murphysboro. What we need is a prosecutor someone who will focus on building strong cases and securing convictions. What else should Illinoisans know about DeVore? Alvarez should have been agitating to fix the things that we all now know desperately need fixing. That's the case Republican Christopher Pfannkuche (pronounced fon-COOK) makes for electing him chief prosecutor. U.S. Attorney John Lausch submitted his formal resignation Wednesday stating hell be leaving his high-profile post as Chicagos top federal prosecutor later this month. Democratic Cook County state's attorney candidate Kim Foxxmeets with the Tribune Editorial Board on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The victim and witnesses described the car used in the shooting and its license plate, which police learned was stolen a couple of days earlier, according to a police report included in the police case file. Its not enough to simply mourn after a tragedy strikes, said state Rep. Aaron Ortiz, a Chicago Democrat whose district covers the Gage Park neighborhood. Lausch succeeded Zachary Fardon, who stepped down from the post after Trump asked for the resignations of all Obama administration-era U.S. attorney holdovers. In that primary race we endorsed Democrat Kim Foxx, who had spent 12 years as an assistant state's attorney, mostly in juvenile court. In this months Democratic primary, we endorse attorney Ivan Bates. The need to bridge that disconnect between Chicago communities and their police officers is one of several reasons we're hoping for a fresh start at state's attorney. She should have pledged that next time, she'd wrap up the state investigation as fast as possible and, if appropriate, promptly file charges. Following the main prayer, a group of about 20 people formed a circle, grasped a long, bright blue streamer and held a light. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. And Orland Park constitutional attorney David Shestokas, a former congressional candidate, is back on the campaign trail after arguing alongside Rudy Giuliani in 2020 with false claims that votes in Pennsylvania and beyond were illegitimately counted to prevent former President Donald Trump from winning a second term. Following Mass, the Rev. So financial acumen is a must, and both candidates bring strong money oversight credentials to the race. And if that piece of Duckworths remarkable biography was not daunting enough, she was the first woman with a disability to be elected to Congress, and then became the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office, following the birth of her second daughter, Maile, in 2018. Beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. James A. Haynes. But we do not see an Illinois threat to those rights and we see this endorsement as an opening to skew the balance of power in the public sector to an unacceptable degree. A nominee of Republican President Donald Trump, Lausch was originally asked by the incoming Biden administration to step down from his post in 2021 along with other Trump holdovers. J.B. Pritzkers pandemic-related executive orders. Depending where you live, there are two contested vacancies: one in the 12th subcircuit and one in the 13th subcircuit. But Lausch was allowed to stay on the job after an unusual push from Durbin and Duckworth, who extolled Lausch as a corruption buster who needed to see through investigations of some of the states most powerful politicians. Brandon Johnson was rejected an endorsement due to proposals to raise taxes that the board says would cause more people to leave Chicago. And this is a way from a federal law enforcement standpoint that we can make an impact.. Nine sitting or recent members of the Illinois General Assembly have been charged with federal crimes since 2019. Instead, she styles herself as Baltimores chief advocate and prime mover for law enforcement reform, but that job actually belongs to the federal consent decree monitoring team. Since then, he has managed this office skillfully, making sound investments for the states portfolio that have earned taxpayers more than $1 billion. We support the rights of unions to represent their members and to bargain collectively for the best deal they can secure. It's a tall mountain to climb. Despite very public calls to oust school board members and reject candidates who opposed fully reopening schools until April, Naperville District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204 incumbents appear to have cruised to reelection by hefty margins. We gather and pray for everyone.. ]. And, debating her opponents before the Tribune Editorial Board, Alvarez repeatedly came up empty when pressed on a related question: If a judge hadn't ordered the release of that video, would she still be waiting for the feds to complete their investigation before she filed charges? Now, however, he tells us he is working to expand the attorney generals jurisdiction over public corruption cases. He also faced criticism over not acknowledging the effects of prolonged school closures, which the board said is likely tied to the support he receives from the Chicago Teachers Union. Republican. At this time in this county, Foxx is best suited to be that voice. [Dont miss] Election 2022: What Illinois races do you care most about and what issues are important to you? "The state's attorney should be the voice of the community," he said in their debate. The incumbent, Marilyn Mosby, has made a strong defense of her record, and we believe that it has merit in some important. WBEZ news coverage of the mayor's race and more from the 2023 municipal elections. Sept. 13, 2016. Courthouse, which is likely to be the biggest public corruption trial in Chicago since former Gov. But not his teammates. Chicago police officers were investigating after a man was shot in the leg on July 28, 2022, in the 2600 block of West 23rd Place in the Little Village neighborhood. Mr. Bates has worked in Baltimore courtrooms for decades, first as a prosecutor and then as a defense attorney. On Nov. 8, Illinois voters will elect their governor, junior U.S. senator, two Illinois Supreme Court justices, all 17 of Illinois representatives in the U.S. Congress, every state senator and state representative in the General Assembly, and county and judicial offices throughout the state. She didnt tell Darryl De Sousa not to file his taxes. 2 who could emphasize the hurt in poor neighborhoods. chicago tribune state's attorney endorsementgetting married in tanzania. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Foxx suggested to us that she does understand the crime-fighting demands of the job. Foxx understands that disconnect; wanting to heal it is her most compelling rationale for seeking the office. The former Cook County assistant state's attorney, Navy veteran and son of the billionaire co-founder of The Carlyle Group private . Thursdays statement from Foxxs office said prosecutors offered community service as an alternative to traditional prosecution due to the facts of the case. Singling out Vallas' expertise in city financing, policing and education, the Tribune Board felt he was both the most experienced and best positioned to handle the task of leading Chicago. Yes, it's easy for her critics to pounce now, knowing the things we all know. Another key task on the shoulders of the state attorney general involves ensuring the Chicago Police Departments compliance with the consent decree, the 2019 court order that lays out steps the city must take to reform the department in the wake of the 2014 murder of Black teenager Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer. The . And she had worked as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, helping administer a $4 billion budget. In Springfields post-Michael Madigan era, how much of a dent can Republicans make into the viselike grip that Democrats have on the Illinois House of Representatives? Foxx is a strong communicator. Foxx has strong communications skills. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. But not his teammates. Read part three of the Tribunes endorsements for Illinois Senate here. As we've written, beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. With respect for Alvarez's long service and also for the third candidate in the race, Donna More, the Tribune gives Kim Foxx its endorsement. According to a high-ranking Tribune executive . (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune). June 30, 2022 . Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Before Fardon, Patrick Fitzgerald, who also earned a reputation as a nonpartisan corruption fighter, served for nearly 12 years as U.S. attorney in Chicago under Democratic and Republican presidents. Most recently, the leader of the West Sides notoriously violent Wicked Town gang faction was convicted along with an associate on racketeering charges involving a string of murders, shootings, robberies, beatings and other violence going back two decades. The Tribune advocates for personal liberty, opportunity and enterprise, for free markets, free will and freedom of expression. This case also should have taught her the peril of binding together the state and federal investigations. She didn't whitewash this case; when her office learned details of McDonald's death, she recruited U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon to investigate. Democratic voters so disapproved of how the current state's attorney, Anita Alvarez, handled the Laquan McDonald case that they rejected her primary election bid for a third four-year term. We find him unqualified for the job. Endorsements are made only in contested races. White . That includes the office of Illinois attorney general. Chicago's mayoral candidates want to fix the unreliable, unsafe and downright filthy CTA. Following Mass, the Rev. He knows how to operate in it, he said. During the past three years, Baltimore has suffered its worst period of violence on record with more than 1,100 people killed. The task force is starting to yield results, including an investigation that led to the discovery of more than $1 million in stolen retail merchandise hidden in storage units, Raoul told us. We'll again note that while taking criminals off the streets and standing up for crime victims aren't the entirety of this job, those are the reasons this job exists. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Meet the candidates for the 2022 Illinois General Election, which will be held on Nov. 8, 2022. We as a city have replaced the mayor and police commissioner (several times), and we have placed judges, the governor, parole and probation and juvenile services officials, the police union, legislators and others under intense scrutiny over their roles in stopping the bloodshed. Montano, who was injured in an exchange of gunfire with Vasquez-Lasso, was expected to appear in bond court Friday, according to Chicago police. Paul Vallas touted his first endorsement Thursday since winning the initial round of voting in the Chicago mayoral election: that of longtime former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Police eventually curbed the car, and the suspect and two others ran away, the report alleged. Yet she hasn't adequately explained why she didn't charge the officer who shot McDonald until 13 months after the killing even though she says she had decided some time earlier to accuse him of first-degree murder. In the primary election held on June 28, voters selected Republican and Democratic . Foxx, a Chicago native, served as an assistant Cook County states attorney for 12 years and has emerged as a viable replacement for embattled incumbent Anita Alvarez. He was nominated by Trump after Durbin and Duckworth aided the White House in the search. An active and mostly-GOP push is underway to unseat him by asking voters to say No to his retention. When we wrote about this case before the March primary, we said that if we could choose one of the three Democrats in that race to prosecute a murder case, we'd choose Alvarez for her courtroom experience. An early voting location at the Loop Super Site on June 23, 2022. The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police threw its support Thursday behind Patrick O'Brien, the Republican candidate running to unseat embattled Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. . At the same time, we have to acknowledge that she did not have the evidence to sustain the heavy charges she brought against the officers in the Gray case; her assertion that she would do nothing differently if given the chance is simply bizarre given the trials outcomes. Courthouse in Chicago after verdicts were reached in the trial of singer R. Kelly. She worked well with a politically diverse County Board, and we think she can be a bridge to the bloodied communities that are most alienated from the criminal justice system. Find a downloadable, printable list of Chicago Tribune election endorsements and candidates responses to our questionnaires here. That includes the office of Illinois attorney general. His departure, which was first revealed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland during an unrelated news conference in Washington in January, will officially kick off a search for a replacement that will be led by Illinois two Democratic senators, Dick Dubin and Tammy Duckworth. Note: This list is. Lauschs last day in office will be March 11. 74th District: Liandro Li Arellano, Jr. 17th District: Elizabeth Liz Doody Gorman. The Chicago Tribune editorial board made their long-awaited endorsement in the upcoming mayoral election on Friday, backing former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas for the city's top job. Amendment One We endorse a no vote. Whenever an act of violence occurs in the neighborhood, he said, he tries to visit the location with churchgoers. Foxx got where she is with strong help from Preckwinkle and the county Democratic organization. -Salvi has received endorsements from. Vasquez-Lassos widow was on hand and a few representatives from churches said prayers and spoke during the brief ceremony. All three were taken into custody and officers recovered two guns in the vicinity, the report said. Why Mr. Tong? On Monday, Sally Daly, a. Given that the county has more 800 governmental units, thats a crucial quality that voters must keep in mind. But not his teammates. Kim, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 2010 and then as gubernatorial candidate Dan Rutherford's lieutenant governor running mate in their losing primary race in 2014 . Assistant State's Attorneys and support staff vigorously prosecute crimes committed in the County and provide extensive services to victims and witnesses. Its a tall mountain to climb. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. We endorse William Tong as attorney general. White's backing is a boost for Vallas, as White enjoyed immense popularity during his nearly 25 years in the statewide office and as Illinois' highest-ranking Black politician. Should the amendment pass, we anticipate serious negative consequences for the taxpayers of Illinois. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune), Chicago police officers place blue ribbons on trees outside District 8 Chicago Lawn Police Station on March 2, 2023, in honor of police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso who was fatally shot the night before. That office is the General Assemblys watchdog, but lawmakers had weakened the IGs powers to a point where one-time Inspector General Carol Pope called her office a paper tiger.. In the months since the release of that breathtaking video of McDonald crumpling onto a street, many among us have come to better understand why so many law-abiding Chicagoans distrust the criminal justice system here. [Dont miss] See how candidates for governor answered our questions plus who the Tribune Editorial Board endorsed, [Dont miss] Editorial: 175 years of editorials and counting, A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Attorney General Keith Ellison easily wins DFL endorsement for second term 600175318 Attorney General Keith Ellison easily wins DFL endorsement for second term Delegates also endorsed. Results are available at www.isba.org/YouBeTheJudge. Nine sitting or recent members of the Illinois General Assembly have been charged with federal crimes since 2019. In the post, DeVore wrote, Lord help us with the window lickers, I mean special children. After the post was widely shared, DeVore filed a libel suit in 2017 against three people, alleging they had falsely accused him of ridiculing children with special needs. is the right one, indeed the only one, in this election. While the board praised Lightfoot's leadership in the COVID-19 pandemic and work in initiatives to improve equity in struggling neighborhoods, she faced criticism for being reluctant to any changes in city leadership, most notably toward embattled CPD Superintendent David Brown. Alvarez came under fire amid the Laquan McDonald scandal. But, year after year, hundreds of young people are slaughtered in those communities by stone-cold killers who should be ostracized and punished. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune). Thats when police began pursuing him, and shots were exchanged at close range between the suspect and Vasquez-Lasso, Brown said. DeVore has chosen to not take part in the Tribunes endorsement process, but that doesnt really matter. He said he came because he has quite a few police officer friends and wanted to share in their grief. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Illinois is staring down many important issues, including the states support for abortion, the ongoing instability of state pensions, a looming recession, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the perennial issue of violent crime, an especially potent concern in the larger cities but with statewide impact. It's an endorsement to move forward and finally get the city and the state, most importantly, moving forward," he said. Here are the latest endorsements for each of the Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates. In the Illinois Supreme Court's Third District, which picks up Will and Kankakee counties, Democrat Justice Thomas Kilbride is on the ballot for retention to a 10-year term. In a sit-down with reporters a few months into his tenure, Lausch was careful to steer clear of any political questions, saying he was not getting pressure from Washington to change any office policies but declining to comment specifically about Trumps tweets. It was my honor each and every day to help carry out the offices mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect our civil rights.. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) When Chicago police Superintendent David Brown fired Robert Boik, CPDs executive director of constitutional policing and reform, we told Chicagoans that Browns decision marked a big step backward. In this first slate of endorsements, most of the contested seats are longtime Democratic strongholds in Chicago, as gerrymandered to serve incumbents, and few are likely to be close races. Read the full editorial here. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. In the large field of eight Democratic candidates running for Illinois attorney general, Sharon Fairley has now received the endorsement of both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. Even among those who did not support him politically, he engendered trust during some of the darkest hours in the history of this great state. Browse this platform for a snapshot of each ward's candidates and demographics, and explainers for the key races including the U.S. Senate; Congressional districts 1 through 11, 14, and 16; Cook County Circuit Court Clerk; and Cook County State's Attorney. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune). (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Her critics may try to blame her for that instability, but she didnt fire the police commissioners. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago, Lausch said in a written statement. In the Illinois Supreme Courts Third District, which picks up Will and Kankakee counties, Democrat Justice Thomas Kilbride is on the ballot for retention to a 10-year term. Nor have we joined the more recent chorus arguing that Alvarez's handling of the Laquan McDonald case disqualifies her from office. She spent 12 years as an assistant state's attorney, mostly in juvenile court, and served as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.. Illinois Supreme Court. Mary Kay O'Brien EI's State Legislative and County-Level Endorsement Press Release Illinois Senate (District Number - Name) 1 - Javier Loera Cervantes 2 - Omar Aquino 4 - Kimberly Lightford 6 - Sara Feigenholtz 7 - Mike Simmons 8 - Ram Villivalam 9 - Laura Fine 10 - Robert Martwick 12 - Celina Villanueva 13 - Robert Peters 16 - Willie Preston He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. Durbin vs. Curran, Black, Malouf and Wilson: 10 questions for the candidates for U.S. Senate. Ahead of her confirmation hearing scheduled Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Sen. Here are the Chicago Tribune endorsements in the Illinois primary Tuesday. The editorial board makes these recommendations based on the evaluations of major bar associations, including the Chicago Council of Lawyers, interviews with judges and attorneys who know the work of the candidates, and information provided by the candidates to the board. Vasquez-Lasso was in one of two pairs of responding officers who engaged with Montano, who allegedly ran away from the officers. Matt Foley, the pastor of St. Gall Church,led the procession to the scene Thursday morning, carrying the Blessed Sacrament while a crowd of mourners followed him to pay respects and sanctify the ground where Vasquez-Lasso was fatally shot. 88th District . Chicago Tribune; The Baltimore Sun; The Morning Call of Pa. Daily Press of Va. Foley, who served as an Army chaplain in Afghanistan for four deployments spanning over five years beginning in 2009, said hes accustomed to violence, though still not comfortable with it. If we could choose one of the three candidates in this race to prosecute a murder case in a courtroom tomorrow, we'd choose Alvarez for her depth of experience there, the editorial board wrote. Endorsements, In The News / October 5, 2018. Unlike Mayor Rahm Emanuel, she hasn't come to understand that it's not in the public interest to endlessly withhold information about deadly force incidents. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson will meet in a runoff to be the next mayor of Chicago after voters on Tuesday denied incumbent Lori Lightfoot a second term, issuing a rebuke to a leader who made history as head of the nation's third-largest city.. Vallas, a former schools CEO backed by the police union, and Johnson, a Cook County commissioner endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, advanced . Late Thursday, authorities charged Steven Montano, 18, of 2500 block of South Lawndale, with first-degree murder, weapons charges and interfering with a domestic violence report. The board marked disagreements with State Rep. Kam Buckner on matters of education, while calling the legislator an inspiring figure who should continue to play a role in Chicago's political future, while offering similar words for activist Ja'Mal Green. The 2023 Chicago municipal elections will be held on Feb. 28. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. We endorse a no vote. Its seven justices serve 10-year terms, with three of the justices chosen by Cook County voters. Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx and Republican candidate Christopher Pfannkuche give their closing statements to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Sept. 13, 2016. Across Chicago and the rest of the state, people mourned the fallen officer, the first Chicago Police Department member shot and killed in the line of duty since Ella French was killed during a traffic stop in August 2021. But not his teammates. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Van Dyke was not charged with McDonalds murder until November of 2015 when dash-cam footage of the incident was being made public as a result of a Freedom of Information Act request. We need to remember that. And Foxx would need a deputy who has the gritty experience with criminal law that she lacks. Judge O'Malley began her legal career as an assistant state's attorney in Baltimore County, spending a decade in the criminal courts, prosecuting cases involving drug conspiracy, murders,. Our second concern has been whether Foxx wants to be a crime-buster or public defender (actually an appointed post). Brandon Johnson, Vallas opponent in the April runoff, said the officers death was a painful reminder of how much work we have to do in the city of Chicago to end violence., My prayers and my thoughts are with the family and all families involved, Johnson said. He has our endorsement. A rosary is among the items filling a memorial for slain Chicago police Officer Andrs Mauricio Vsquez Lasso along the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue, March 3, 2023. He didnt. Today we acknowledge Alvarez's 29-year career in this office. In the endorsement, the Tribune board called Vallas "a smart, passionate and experienced candidate for mayor who long has specialized in doing precisely that.". October 12, 2022. . The Tribune Editorial Board advocates for the equality of the individual, for personal responsibility, for a limited government role in the lives of the governed. COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY DEMOCRAT FOXX, KIM (I) REPUBLICANS O'BRIEN, PATRICK 'PAT' LIBERTARIAN DENNEHY, BRIAN DUPAGE COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY REPUBLICAN BERLIN, ROBERT "BOB" (I) KANE.