who was the illinois states attorney before alverez

by Mr. Doyle Gusikowski DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 9 min read

Who is Cook County state's attorney Victoria Alvarez?

1 day ago · Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a petition for appeal, along with a motion for an emergency stay of a Sangamon County judge’s order to block enforcement of the rules. "Today, parents ...

Who ran against Cook County state's attorney Tom Alvarez in 2012?

Feb 14, 2022 · Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx was elected in 2016 as a reform candidate, knocking out incumbent Anita Alvarez after harshly criticizing the way she handled charges in …

Who is Alvarez?

Anita began her career in the State’s Attorney’s Office in 1986 and steadily worked her way up through the ranks, handling hundreds of felony cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, armed robbery, criminal sexual assaults and domestic violence. She has argued before the Illinois Appellate Court and tried more than 50 felony jury trials.

Who was the first Hispanic woman elected to the Illinois Attorney General?

Sep 16, 2015 · Richard M. Daley, the state’s attorney at the time, called for longer sentences for gang members and drug dealers. "The attitude back then was ‘Hammer everyone,’" says Thomas Needham, who worked alongside Alvarez in the state’s attorney’s office in the 1990s.

Why did Alvarez resign?

In the wake of the release of video of the shooting of Laquan McDonald, protestors and Chicago politicians called on Alvarez to resign for having waited 13 months to prosecute police officer Jason Van Dyke.

What is the case of Sammy Tate?

Another controversial case was a Wicker Park shooting of a homeless man, Sammy Tate, involving two falsely accused black minors. Alvarez approved the keeping of a 16-year-old minor (Deandre Washington) in solitary confinement in Cook County Jail for 4 years pending trial. The trial lasted 45 minutes in 2003 where both defendants were acquitted. Alvarez also refused to resign when asked, yet settled suit against the city in 2012 for malicious prosecution by local Cochran offices for $1 million. Additionally, Alvarez had no response when asked why she kept a minor in solitary for so long. At a 2018 Chicago City Club event, Alvarez's then-press agent still defended the ex-Cook County State's Attorney for not knowing how many minors were kept in solitary confinement during her term in office. This does qualify her for prosecution for crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Where did Alvarez go to high school?

She attended Maria High School and received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1982. She earned her J.D. degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1986. Alvarez has spent her entire legal career in the State's Attorney's Office. Alvarez began her career as an Assistant State's Attorney in 1986.

Who is Anita Alvarez?

Alvarez (born January 16, 1960) is the former State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois, United States . Alvarez was the first Hispanic woman elected to this position, after being the first Latina to win the Democratic nomination for state's attorney of Cook County.

When did Alvarez run for reelection?

She won reelection in 2012. She ran for reelection again in 2016, but was defeated in the primary election by Kim Foxx . During her first five years in office, Alvarez drafted a law that has increased criminal penalties for gang members arrested with guns.

Who shot Rekia Boyd?

In 2013, Alvarez's office charged Dante Servin, the police officer who shot Rekia Boyd, with involuntary manslaughter. In 2015, Servin was cleared of all charges by the presiding judge, who pointed to the inconsistent charges as the reason for his decision. Alavarez was heavily criticized for undercharging Servin, and his consequent acquittal, which some critics alleged was an attempt by Alvarez to curry favor with the police department.

What did Alvarez do?

Alvarez went on to tout some of her accomplishments – she said she’d helped craft state laws "to get tough on gangbangers," led a nationally recognized crackdown on human trafficking, and expanded "smart on crime" programs to help some offenders get education or treatment instead of facing jail time.

Where was Maria Alvarez born?

Alvarez grew up at a time when crime was rising in Chicago, as it was in most other American cities. Born in 1960, she was raised in the Pilsen area, not far from the hulking criminal courts complex at 26th and California that now dominates her professional life. Her father worked as a waiter. Her mother was a seamstress.

When did Alvarez win reelection?

Despite these high-profile controversies, Alvarez won reelection in 2012 with only token opposition. But during her second term, her office’s handling of its everyday caseload – adding up to more than 30,000 felonies and 160,000 misdemeanors prosecuted annually – came under attack and weakened her political standing.

How many times was Laquan McDonald shot?

Foxx's win was paved in part by public dissatisfaction over Alvarez's handling of the Laquan McDonald shooting case, and the release of a police dash cam video showing the black teen being shot 16 times by a white police officer.

Who is Kim Foxx?

Foxx is the former chief of staff and one-time protege of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Update, 9:28 p.m. -- It was Kim Foxx by a landslide in the Democratic primary for Cook County State's Attorney.

Overview

Anita M. Alvarez (born January 16, 1960) is the former State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois, United States. Alvarez was the first Hispanic woman elected to this position, after being the first Latina to win the Democratic nomination for state's attorney of Cook County.