Incumbent Democrat Michael Frerichs has had this job since 2015. We support the rights of unions to represent their members. 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. Depending where you live, there are two contested vacancies: one in the 12th subcircuit and one in the 13th subcircuit. 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. Lightfoot changed her tone after speaking with Lausch, her former colleague at the U.S. attorneys office, whom she said she admired and trusted. In addition to ruling on cases appealed from the lower courts, the Supreme Court appoints judges to fill vacancies, creates rules that courts must follow, and oversees attorney licensing and discipline. A slate of incumbents will retain their seats on the Township High School District 214 board following the April 6 election. Heres the first installment of the Tribune Editorial Boards endorsements for Illinois House contests. Lawyer, admitted to the Maryland bar. 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. Chicago's mayoral candidates want to fix the unreliable, unsafe and downright filthy CTA. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. US Attorney John Lausch formally announces resignation, plans to step Printable PDF guides available on the right side bar or see bottom of page on your phone. Read the full editorial here. We also credit her assertion that her offices job of prosecuting violent criminals has been made much more difficult by a period of intense turmoil in the Baltimore Police Department. 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. He knows the system. 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. The State's Attorney Office works to uphold public safety through the fair and efficient administration of justice. She was elected twice to be the people's lawyer the prosecutor tasked to convict criminals and, when appropriate, put them away. And it's fair for her to ride waves of public animus toward law enforcement in some communities. 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. During a debate at the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx and Republican candidate Christopher Pfannkuche address how the Laquan McDonald case degraded the integrity of theoffice. Foxx talks eagerly and easily about police misconduct cases and whether too many people are in prison. We agree that her announcement of charges against the six officers involved in Freddie Grays death staved off violence. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Lauschs last day in office will be March 11. In the endorsement, the Tribune board called Vallas "a smart, passionate and experienced candidate for mayor who long has specialized in doing precisely that.". Brandon Johnson questions past critical race theory comments from Paul She didnt tell Darryl De Sousa not to file his taxes. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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,. Foxx, a Chicago native, served as an assistant. From policing to prosecution to trial to incarceration to parole, citizens are demanding better of their criminal justice system. As the candidates for Cook County state's attorney debated the handling of the Laquan McDonald case before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Feb. 4, 2016, incumbent Anita Alvarez. Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune GOP Harris County judge candidate contesting her loss after Election Day problems at polling sites by Patrick Svitek and Pooja Salhotra Updated: Jan. 6, 2023. We endorse him. He knows how to operate in it, he said. 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. That's the case Republican Christopher Pfannkuche (pronounced fon-COOK) makes for electing him chief prosecutor. Chicago Tribune Endorses Kim Foxx for Cook County State's Attorney 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? Yet we endorse one of her challengers, Kim Foxx, in the Democratic primary for state's attorney.. 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. A similar move in Portland, Oregon, had led to widespread denouncement after unidentified federal agents wearing camouflage uniforms were recorded making arrests. Under Lightfoot's leadership, thefts, burglaries and robberies increased in high numbers especially between 2022 and 2023 while her relationship with the teachers' union turned . For this reason, its absurd to see the office of secretary of state through a partisan lens. Who Does Chicago Tribune Endorse For Attorney General Illinois election 2022: See who the Tribune Editorial Board endorsed The Tribune lauded her prosecutorial experience but cited concerns over her leadership. In this important race, he is clearly the best qualified candidate. In Chicago runoff election for mayor, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson Nine sitting or recent members of the Illinois General Assembly have been charged with federal crimes since 2019. He has our endorsement. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a campaign event on Aug. 25, 2022, at a Jackson County Democrats dinner in Murphysboro. As the candidates for Cook County state's attorney debated the handling of the Laquan McDonald case before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Feb. 4, 2016, incumbent Anita Alvarez defended her investigation, saying, "I don't believe any mistakes were made." All candidates for Illinois judicial offices in the March 20 primary election have been rated by Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) evaluation committees, or in a poll conducted by ISBA. 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. Beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. ], [[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]. Sharon Fairley Gets Attorney General Endorsements From Chicago Sun When he was elected governor of Illinois in 2018, J.B. Pritzker was blissfully unaware of the COVID-19 crisis that would dominate his first term. In the endorsement, the paper showed concern over Foxxs relationship with Preckwinkle, who has helped finance Foxxs campaign. Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a jury 12 years ago. Democratic Cook County state's attorney candidate Kim Foxxmeets with the Tribune Editorial Board on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Boardand onFacebook. According to a high-ranking Tribune executive . Read the full editorial here. We endorse a no vote. 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. The incumbent, Marilyn Mosby, has made a strong defense of her record, and we believe that it has merit in some important respects. [Dont miss] Illinois primary 2022: What to know before Tuesdays Election Day, [Dont miss] See how all the candidates answered our questions plus who the Tribune Editorial Board endorsed. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. The paper also expounds on the need for the next states attorney to serve as a bridge between crime-riddled communities and law enforcement. The Tribune advocates for personal liberty, opportunity and enterprise, for free markets, free will and freedom of expression. Here are our choices for contested races in the court's 15 subcircuits. As the candidates for Cook County state's attorney debated the handling of the Laquan McDonald case before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Feb. 4, 2016, incumbent Anita Alvarez defended her investigation, saying, "I don't believe any mistakes were made." Endorsing Kim Foxx: Time for a change at state's attorney The clear and present dangers of intrusion from county pols run from patronage to policy to principle. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. They are my family, and Im their family as well, Cuellar said. On Vallas' law enforcement policy, the Tribune board said that with the "ear of rank-and-file police officers," Vallas is best positioned to both increase homicide clearance rates and reduce police misconduct in the city. 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. A look at Manhattan D.A. candidates on the ballot in June's primary Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx issues statement on suspect in Here are the latest endorsements for each of the Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates. Retired from the US Department of Labor as Appellate Administrative Judge. The White House announced in February 2021 that Lausch could remain in office until a successor was nominated and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, though no official search for a replacement ever materialized. Christopher Pfannkuche will run unopposed on the Republican ticket. In Election, Support for Abortion Rights Was About Much More Support for abortion rights did drive women to the polls in Tuesday's elections. Courthouse in Chicago after verdicts were reached in the trial of singer R. Kelly. How rigorously oversight boards pursue accusations of officer misconduct. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. iowa total care number chicago tribune state's attorney endorsement. She also has the pulse of this moment in Chicago: She essentially shares our view that cases in which police use deadly force should automatically be assigned to an office that doesn't work intimately with that police department perhaps to a prosecutor from a different jurisdiction, or the state attorney general's office, or some other body empowered to weigh the filing of criminal charges. 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.. Chicago police union endorses Patrick O'Brien, Kim Foxx opponent During a debate at the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx and Republican candidate Christopher Pfannkuche address how the. 2020 Voter Guide to the General Election | Chicago News | WTTW - WTTW News You don't think that could happen? 2022 Florida Election Endorsements - Sun Sentinel Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a campaign event on Aug. 25, 2022, at a Jackson County Democrats dinner in Murphysboro. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago, Lausch said in a written statement. Oscar Cuellar, an elder at Hope Church Midway, was one of the speakers. He knows Baltimore judges and juries. 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. Thursday night, a few hundred people, mostly Chicago police officers, gathered at Hale Park on the Southwest Side during a vigil for the slain officer. An active and mostly-GOP push is underway to unseat him by asking voters to say No to his retention. Baltimores states attorney also must be held accountable, and we believe it is time for a change in that office. She's had a much better view than most people of how the Independent Police Review Authority doesn't work, and she has known for quite some time that police videos often, or always, didn't have audio. That is not the entirety of this job. The defendant, who had no prior record, was given an I-bond after being charged on July 29, 2022, with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, after running from a vehicle that had been stopped by police, according to the statement issued by her office. Shiva Mohsenzadeh was leading her opponent Jill Brickman by about 90 votes Friday morning. Beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. 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. Read the full editorial here. McDonald, a 17-year-old Chicagoan, was shot and killed by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke in October of 2014. It is tempting to view the race for Cook County state's attorney as a choice . Edward Burke, the bribery probe involving Commonwealth Edison, and the bombshell charges levied against ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan last March. It is crucial to Pritzkers case for a second term. We trust that she could connect with people in those violence-ravaged communities. 2 who could emphasize the hurt in poor neighborhoods. 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. Here are the Chicago Tribune endorsements in the Illinois primary Tuesday. Job One for the state's attorney again, the people's attorney is to stand up for those dead victims, their devastated families, and the rule of criminal law in Cook County. White . We will never forget his selflessness and dedication as we continue to wrap our arms around his family and loved ones. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). The board added that Vallas will be expected to use experience gained as Mayor Richard M. Daley's budget director from 1990 to 1993 in tightening city finances. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. In Chicago runoff election for mayor, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson She was also endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood. James A. Haynes. Today we acknowledge Alvarez's 29-year career in this office. Today, the Chicago Tribune endorsed Governor Rauner, highlighting how critical this election is to the future of Illinois. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Elections are opportunities to evaluate the needs of the times and of the citizens who write their public servants' paychecks, the editorial board wrote. The fact that Boiks defense of officer training factored into his termination was also something we had concern about. The Chicago Police Department has repeatedly shown that it needs external oversight to ensure it complies with the consent decree, and were heartened to see Raoul embrace that role. But not his teammates. 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. Indictments stemming from the probe are expected soon, his office said. And those misgivings? Disclaimer | This contest comes at a time when citizens of metropolitan Chicago are re-examining, and demanding better of, the criminal justice system here: How prosecutors make charging decisions. But, year after year, hundreds of young people are slaughtered in those communities by stone-cold killers who should be ostracized and punished. Any incumbent's re-election ought never be an entitlement. 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. 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. The McDonald case gave Alvarez an opportunity to display sound judgment. In the end, it was Pfannkuche who persuaded us to endorse Foxx. 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. Note: This list is. 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. 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. About | Read the full editorial here. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a campaign event on Aug. 25, 2022, at a Jackson County Democrats dinner in Murphysboro. The November election comes four months after the June 28 primary the quickest turnaround since at least the Great Depression. (Chicago Tribune). 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. Read part three of the Tribunes endorsements for Illinois Senate here. Pfannkuche would need a No. 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. The point is to augment, collaborate where needed, and more aggressively work to ensure that corruption no longer persists as a defining characteristic of Illinois politics. He faces bribery charges in connection with the states notorious red-light camera scandal, and has entered a not guilty plea. But not his teammates. Democratic Cook County state's attorney candidate Kim Foxxmeets with the Tribune Editorial Board on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. . Former prosecutor to run for Kane County state's attorney He is well respected in the legal community, and we believe he would be able to recruit and retain skilled prosecutors while developing a relationship with the police that strikes the appropriate balance between partnership and accountability. Editorial: 2022 Illinois primary bedsheet ballot - Chicago Tribune Foxx has strong communications skills. What we need is a prosecutor someone who will focus on building strong cases and securing convictions. First, she has been endorsed by her former boss, Preckwinkle, and the county Democratic organization. We must work together to find solutions that promote peace and safety for all.. He faces bribery charges in connection with the states notorious red-light camera scandal, and has entered a not guilty plea. The question he asks repeatedly do you feel safer than you did three years ago? Ask anyone who's ever worked near the top of the state's attorney's office. 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. 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. Results are available at www.isba.org/YouBeTheJudge. Watching Foxx and Pfannkuche debate,we were struck by what a good team they would make. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Edward Burke, the bribery probe involving Commonwealth Edison, A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. If nothing else, that list should serve as a sobering reminder that dismantling the culture of corruption staining Illinois politics must be a top priority for prosecutors at every echelon of government. States Attorney - Cook County, Illinois (Chicago Tribune), A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. CHICAGO Four years ago, Paul Vallas finished toward the bottom of the pack in a crowded race for Chicago mayor. Our editorials seek to help readers make sound decisions. Sean Suiter. She should have pledged that next time, she'd wrap up the state investigation as fast as possible and, if appropriate, promptly file charges. Ms. Mosbys other opponent, Thiru Vignarajah, is also a strong candidate who has well-articulated plans for the office, but we believe Mr. Bates experience and focus give him the edge. 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. A state attorney general's primary duty is to serve as counsel to the state and its agencies and to act as the "people's lawyer" on behalf of its citizens. Raouls goal isnt to usurp the work of federal prosecutors, who have ably gone after a vast array of public officials on corruption charges, most notably Michael Madigan. Endorsement: Pat O'Brien for Cook County state's attorney 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. Illinois Supreme Court. Matt Foley of St. Gall Catholic Church leads a procession back to their church after walking in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue in Chicago to sanctify the ground where Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was shot and killed. Illinois Secretary of State's Race: Key Endorsements - NBC Chicago CHICAGO Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx issued a statement Thursday addressing the criminal history of the 18-year-old suspected of killing Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso on Wednesday as . Officers located the car later that evening and tried to make a stop, the report said, but the driver fled. Vasquez-Lassos widow was on hand and a few representatives from churches said prayers and spoke during the brief ceremony. We trust that she could connect with people in those violence-ravaged communities. Lauschs exit comes just days before the trial of the so-called ComEd Four gets underway at the Dirksen U.S. Kim Foxx is challenging Anita Alvarez in the March primary race for Cook County state's attorney. Mary Jane Theis Infonotes YES NO 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