The mission of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office is to secure justice, promote the public health and safety, and serve as the legal representatives of the nation's second largest county. The State's Attorney pursues these goals by enforcing the criminal laws, promoting civil protection for the disabled, the elderly, consumers and the environment, and acting as general counsel for a county government that is larger than 44 state governments. Working in the nation's largest unified court system, over 900 prosecutors pursue these objectives. Assistant state's attorneys are hired for this work on the basis of academic achievement, integrity and commitment to public service. They receive training from their first day in the office, and it continues throughout their service.

Cook County residents may not know the many roles the State's Attorney's Office performs within the criminal and civil justice systems. This website is designed to help citizens familiarize themselves with the many functions and services provided by the Office. We welcome your comments and suggestions as to how this website can be made more useful.

The State's Attorney's Office performs many vital legal tasks every day as you will see on this website. However, the heart and soul of the Office will always be prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of crime victims. Crime injures the victim and the community. We know that we cannot repair that harm without the help and the cooperation of all citizens. Everyone has a role in keeping our communities safe. I pledge that my Office will continue to work with all communities to strive to prevent and reduce crime as well as bring the fullest measure of justice to those who are victimized.



Victim Notification System

Cook County now has a victim notification system that can notify victims, witnesses or other concerned parties of a defendant’s release from the Cook County Jail and can provide the status of court dates. Read More >

*NEW* Cook County now has an online victim notification system, called VINELink, that can inform victims, witnesses or other concerned parties of a defendant's custody status. This information can be accessed from any personal computer with Internet access.
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Equal Pay for Equal Work

On November 2, 2006, Cook County State’s Attorney Richard A. Devine made a presentation to the Cook County Board requesting that the Board rectify the unfairness in the County’s salary structure that grants higher salaries to Assistant Public Defenders than to Assistant State’s Attorneys with similar experience and tenure.  Devine also addressed the need for the Board to consider cost of living adjustments for State’s Attorney’s Office employees just as the Board has done for the Public Defender’s Office and other County employees working under collective bargaining agreements.
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Consumer Fraud
IDENTITY THEFT: Stealing someone's identity to buy everything from cars, consumer goods, and mortgages, while leaving the victim's credit rating in ruins is one of the fastest growing crimes in America.
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Bad Check Restitution Program
BAD CHECK RESTITUTION PROGRAM: Aimed at assisting local merchants, the goal of this innovative new program is to obtain full restitution for the victim without forcing them to pay collection fees.
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Domestic Violence
The Office has an innovative Domestic Violence Division that aggressively prosecutes cases on a county-wide basis with a staff of specially trained attorneys.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
The State's Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to complying with all laws and regulations relating to equal employment opportunities. The State's Attorney's Office will not refuse to hire or promote any individual, or to discipline or discharge any individual or discriminate against any individual, with respect to his or her wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment, because of that individual's race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, age, sex, gender identity, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, parental status, disability, or perceived disability. The State's Attorney's Office has an Equal Employment Opportunity Program which is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.