chicago tribune state's attorney endorsement
According to the board, Ald. Why Mr. Tong? 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. Second, in that session with our editorial board, we tried to make sure Foxx is running for chief prosecutor, not for public defender (actually an appointed post). (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). 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. He faces bribery charges in connection with the states notorious red-light camera scandal, and has entered a not guilty plea. 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. The clear and present dangers of intrusion from county pols run from patronage to policy to principle.. Following Mass, the Rev. The November election comes four months after the June 28 primary the quickest turnaround since at least the Great Depression. 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. He knows Baltimore judges and juries. When were looking at the drivers of violence, weve seen a lot of it relate to turf and social media and retaliation upon retaliation. Courthouse in Chicago after verdicts were reached in the trial of singer R. Kelly. U.S. Attorney John Lausch, center, prepares to speak to reporters on Sept. 14, 2022, at the Dirksen U.S. But not his teammates. Of all the Republicans on the Illinois ballot in the 2022 election cycle, Kathy Salvi, an attorney from Mundelein, surely has the hardest job. All rights reserved, Michigan Businessman Perry Johnson Launches Long-Shot 2024 Presidential Bid, Black Vietnam Veteran Finally Honored With Medal of Honor, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Chicago-Area Counties Under Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. ], [[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]. About | Sept. 13, 2016. DeVore, who has the words freedom and liberty tattooed to his forearms, is best known for pursuing a series of challenges to Gov. Read part three of the Tribunes endorsements for Illinois Senate here. The FOP announced the decision in a post on the . For now, reports Crain's Greg Hinz Endorsement: . 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. 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. How rigorously oversight boards pursue accusations of officer misconduct. 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. Note: This list is. (Chicago Tribune). "Kim Foxx is a strong voice for reform and justice for all, Governor Quinn said in a statement provided by Foxx's campaign. Yet we endorse one of her challengers, Kim Foxx, in the Democratic primary for state's attorney.. Kim Foxx, left, and Patrick O'Brien, right, are candidates for Cook county State's Attorney in the 2020 election. 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. 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. Preceding him are four former Senate Democratic colleagues, Thomas Cullerton, Terry Link, Annazette Collins and Martin Sandoval (who died in 2020); a former GOP state senator, Sam McCann; former House Speaker and Democratic kingmaker Michael Madigan; and onetime Democratic state Reps. Luis Arroyo and Eddie Acevedo. In 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions tapped Lausch to oversee the process of sorting through roughly 880,000 records in part of the House probe into former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. U.S. Attorney John Lausch, center, prepares to speak to reporters on Sept. 14, 2022, at the Dirksen U.S. According to a high-ranking Tribune executive . The Chicago Tribune endorsed former State Sen. Paul Schimpf in the race. 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. We think Foxx, by contrast, in time would rebuild the public's trust, the editorial board wrote. 2 who could emphasize the hurt in poor neighborhoods. Disclaimer | Nor have we joined the more recent chorus arguing that Alvarez's handling of the Laquan McDonald case disqualifies her from office. That is our belief today. We endorse Foxx while admitting two concerns. Of the Houses 118 seats, 78 feature contested races. But not his teammates. You don't think that could happen? 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. Alvarez came under fire amid the Laquan McDonald scandal. 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. Read the full editorial here. Since Lausch took over, his office has charged more than 80 reputed gang members under the federal racketeering statute, which brings hefty mandatory minimum sentences and in some cases can carry the death penalty. Choosing a new Cook County state's attorney in normal times, you might vote for a candidate who's had a hand in thousands of criminal prosecutions. 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 . A slate of incumbents will retain their seats on the Township High School District 214 board following the April 6 election. Mr. Tong's experience as an attorney and state legislator and chairman of the state House Judiciary Committee clearly. Following the main prayer, a group of about 20 people formed a circle, grasped a long, bright blue streamer and held a light. 72. This primary election is critical for the direction of pro-family issues in Illinois, and the attorney general is a key office to protecting families' freedoms of choice in education, religion, and life. Here are the Chicago Tribune endorsements in the Illinois primary Tuesday. (Yes, its legal.). Brandon Johnson was rejected an endorsement due to proposals to raise taxes that the board says would cause more people to leave Chicago. The . The McDonald case gave Alvarez an opportunity to display sound judgment. 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 . Together, we mourn the loss of our hero, the Police Department said in a statement. 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 . 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 Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a campaign event on Aug. 25, 2022, at a Jackson County Democrats dinner in Murphysboro. 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 . 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. White . She's given plenty of thought to the suspicions and hostilities that have animated metropolitan Chicago since the McDonald case erupted in the public consciousness a year ago. Both final mayoral candidates touched on the death of Vasquez-Lasso on the first full day of campaigning ahead of the April 4 matchup, with Paul Vallas, who ran on a tough-on-crime platform, criticizing Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx for dismissing misdemeanor charges against the suspect, Montano, in November. Some well-known lawyers in the region are going to bat for Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, President Joe Bidens nominee for the 7th U.S. For the list of sitting judges asking to be retained, nearly every one of them is recommended for retention by the three major judicial rating groups. Assistant State's Attorneys and support staff vigorously prosecute crimes committed in the County and provide extensive services to victims and witnesses. What standards police officials require of their departments. She should have pledged that next time, she'd wrap up the state investigation as fast as possible and, if appropriate, promptly file charges. Find a downloadable, printable list of Chicago Tribune election endorsements and candidates responses to our questionnaires here. 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? Read candidate questionnaires and see other endorsements atchicagotribune.com/candidates. Now, however, he tells us he is working to expand the attorney generals jurisdiction over public corruption cases. The board said that progressive voters could find a formidable candidate in Ald. 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. 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. Weve got to be more aggressive about working with the U.S. attorneys office to bypass the states attorneys office when the states attorney whoever the states attorney is is refusing to charge, Vallas said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. (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. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Ahead of her confirmation hearing scheduled Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Sen. So financial acumen is a must, and both candidates bring strong money oversight credentials to the race. In the end, it was Pfannkuche who persuaded us to endorse Foxx. 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. He is currently overseeing a number of high-profile investigations, including the racketeering case against Chicago Ald. 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? 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. -Duckworth has received endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald. 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. He has our endorsement. 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 want a state's attorney who'll focus on police misconduct, fairness to defendants and incarceration rates of the guilty. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. But not his teammates. State Sen. Emil Jones III is the latest. Republican. 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. Those who view her actions then from the safe remove of three years and through the hindsight of the charges result are forgetting the real and justified fear that the city would erupt again into rioting if the foolish self-imposed deadline then-police commissioner Anthony Batts had set for completing the investigation into Grays death passed with no move toward accountability for the officers. One of the treasurers core responsibilities is managing Illinois 529 college savings program, known as Bright Start. Sept. 13, 2016. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago, Lausch said in a written statement. DeVore has chosen to not take part in the Tribunes endorsement process, but that doesnt really matter. Since then, he has managed this office skillfully, making sound investments for the states portfolio that have earned taxpayers more than $1 billion. Before the primaries, the Tribune Editorial Board posed a series of questions to the candidates to inform voters and make endorsements. He once griped in a Facebook post about an episode at a basketball game in which students struggled to give him correct change at a concession stand, the Tribune reported last month. 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. Printable PDF guides available on the right side bar or see bottom of page on your phone. It makes more sense for voters to try and figure out which candidate will best improve this most customer-service oriented of public offices. The mayor said Lausch assured her an influx of law enforcement would be working collaboratively with Chicago cops against violent crime. 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. Read the full editorial here. Results are available at www.isba.org/YouBeTheJudge. He also sued Pritzker after the governor, responding to a question at a news conference about DeVores legal challenges to his pandemic mandates, called DeVore a grifter. DeVore dropped the lawsuit in March, as he mounted his primary campaign for attorney general.