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July 22, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez accepts the Maestro Award for Latina Leadership during a ceremony in downtown Chicago. The first female, first Latina and first career prosecutor to hold the position of Cook County State’s Attorney, Latino Leaders Magazine described Alvarez as a trailblazer who continues to make history and open doors for Latinas. July 22, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez addresses the media during a press conference held to announce the results of a joint investigation between Federal and State authorities into gun trafficking and gangs. Also pictured (l-r) are Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and Robert Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. To read the press release on the FBI’s website, click HERE. May 23 , 2010
State’s Attorney Alvarez appeared on the ABC 7 Sunday morning show “News Views” to discuss new initiatives to combat gun violence, local corruption and human trafficking. May 18 , 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez greets retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor at a legal luncheon in Chicago for the Chicago Bar Association. Alvarez, who is the President of the CBA, introduced Justice O’Connor, who was the keynote speaker for the event. May 4, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez led “Team Alvarez” at the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s 6th Annual Run to Remember held on Chicago’s lakefront on Saturday, May 1, 2010. State’s Attorney Alvarez dedicated her run to the memory of fallen CPD Officer Alejandro “Alex” Valadez, who was killed by gang members in a drive by shooting in 2009. April 30, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (center) congratulates three Assistant State’s Attorneys who were recently honored by the Chicago Office of the DEA for their work on a 2009 multi-agency narcotics investigation. April 21, 2010
State's Attorney Alvarez Honors "Unsung Heroes" Pictured, left to right, are: Ursula Villatoro, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez recently honored individuals at the Victim Service Awards, a ceremony held in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
[Read Full Text of Article Here]
March 17, 2010
State's Attorney Alvarez Addresses (photo credit: Michael Smart) [Read Full Text of Article Here]
March 11, 2010
2010 St. Patrick's Day Queen Visits State's Attorney Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez welcomed 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Kerry Ann Brennan and the Queen’s Court to her office as the entourage made their annual visit to local dignitaries to personally invite them to participate in the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez with the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen, the Queen’s Court and members of the Shannon Rovers during their annual St. Patrick’s Day visit to local dignitaries’ offices. State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez with the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen, the Queen’s Court and members of the Shannon Rovers during their annual St. Patrick’s Day visit to local dignitaries’ offices.
March 7, 2010
State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (center) with Orli Gil, Counsel General of Israel (left) and Howard Kaplan, Chairman of the Hate Crimes Prosecution Council. February 23, 2010
State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez congratulates 2010 C.F. Stradford Award winners Illinois Appellate Court Justice Sharon Johnson Coleman (left) and Illinois Appellate Court Justice Bertina E. Lampkin (right). February 2, 2010
Congratulations to James Fitzgerald on his recent retirement following a distinguished 25-year legal career in the State’s Attorney’s Criminal Appeals Division. During the course of his career Jim handled thousands of criminal appeals and argued before the Illinois Supreme Court on nearly 50 occasions.
December 14, 2009
The employees of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office understand the real meaning of the holidays! Thanks to all our employees who provided early presents to the children of Henson Elementary School on Chicago's West Side. December 9th, 2009 Alvarez v. Smith December 2, 2009 Congratulations to the members of the Child Support Enforcemcent Unit who were recently presented with the Best Local Collaboration Award for their work improving the management of interstate and international child support enforcement. Novemeber 25, 2009 Congratulations to Investigator Brian Killacky who was recently awarded the J. Pat Finley Child Protection Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the United States Department of Justice and the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. Saturday, October 31 , 2009
State’s Attorney Alvarez finished 79th in a field of 511 women who ran in the UNO 5K, Carrera de los Muertos, “Race of the Dead,” with a time of 27 minutes and 34 seconds. Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Twentieth Annual Homicide Victims Memorial Service will be held at the UIC Forum on Saturday, Nov. 21. The program brings together families and loved ones of homicide and reckless homicide victims, as well as concerned citizens from all over Cook County for a program that includes music, prayer, a memorial tribute, and a light lunch. The program’s activities are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with a Victim Resource Fair. The program begins at 11 a.m. with an introductory blessing and opening remarks by State’s Attorney Alvarez. After the opening remarks, a number of survivors share their thoughts, experiences and insight with those attending the memorial to offer empathic and inspirational words of encouragement and hope. The hour-long afternoon program begins at 12 p.m. and will include music, refreshments, as well as The Victim Resource Fair. In addition, a Homicide Support Group will be provided from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. The homicide victim memorial photo boards will also be on display. If you would like to get involved with this year’s memorial service, contact the Victim Witness Assistance Program at (773) 869-7200. Thursday, September 30, 2009
State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez hosted the first Unity in the Community conference on Sept. 30 at the UIC Forum at 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., as part of her efforts to reach out to community leaders to spread the word in the county’s towns and neighborhood about what services the Office offers. CBS2 Chicago [Read Full Text of Article Here] Hate crimes a priority for Alvarez as reports continue to decrease [Read Full Text of Article Here] Hate crimes a priority for Alvarez as reports continue to decrease [Read Full Text of Article Here] February 24, 2010 [Read Full Text of Article Here] January 15, 2010 [Read Full Text of Article Here] October 9, 2009 [Read Full Text of Article Here] Chicago Tribune Letters To The Editor June 19, 2009 [Read Full Text of Article Here] Alvarez becomes president of Chicago bar group June 18, 2009 CHICAGO - Alvarez will be sworn in as president of the Chicago Bar Association at the group’s annual meeting. [Read Full Text of Article Here] Cook prosecutors open Far North Side branch May 8, 2009 [Read Full Text of Article Here] Chicago Tribune - Editorial Busting Crooked Pols [Read Full Text of Article Here] Reforming Illinois: Who's listening in? March 23, 2009 [Read Full Text of Article Here] Proposal pushes for stolen gun notification SPRINGFIELD -- A proposal requiring Illinois gun owners to report a lost or stolen gun to police within 72 hours or face the possible loss of their right to own a gun was approved by an Illinois House committee Wednesday. Proponents claim the plan will reduce gun crime and help police by making it easier to stop gun trafficking, trace stolen guns and prosecute people who steal guns. [Read Full Text of Article Here] GLBT applause-o-meter rings, and pols listen The applause-o-meter wildly careened as the tuxedoed politicians strutted across the stage Saturday night at the annual Equality Illinois gala. Dawn Clark-Netsch, the grand dame of progressives, floated by in a billowy green and red gown, reprising Christmas. The meter went through the roof.
News and Events
Pictured, left to right, are: Stephen Luzinski, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA,
ASA Bronwyn Sears, State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, ASA Patrick Coughlin and ASA Andy Maloney.
In the Fight for Justice
Karli Butler and Palatine Police Chief John Koziol.
Wise Latinas Brunch at ECC
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is pleased to announce the US Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of an Illinois law aimed at stripping drug dealers of their property. Congratulations to Assistant State’s Attorney’s Paul Castiglione and Alan Spellberg for their hard work on this case.
N E W S
State's Attorney Cracking Down On Local Corruption
March 5, 2010
A crackdown on local corruption has netted everyone from a city treasurer with sticky fingers to a financial manager who stole funds earmarked for special education students. CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez has more on "Operation Cookie Jar." 
March 17, 2010
When Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez ran for office in 2008, she was told there was no way the county's voters would elect a woman, let alone a Latina, to lead the second-largest criminal justice system in the U.S.
March 11, 2010
While reports of hate crimes continue to decline in Chicago and throughout Illinois, prosecutors, police and others must remain committed to prosecuting such crimes, said Cook County State's Attorney Anita M. Alvarez.
Alvarez Tells Senators of Child Prostitutes' Ordeals
Victims, Not Criminals
Some young Chicagoans are practicing "survival sex" and selling their bodies for food, clothing or a safe place to sleep, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez told a U.S. Senate hearing Wednesday.
SouthtownStar Editorial
Here's Hoping Flowers Arrest Brings Reform
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez has earned the gratitude of taxpayers for using the powers of her office to crack down on public corruption.
Chicago Tribune Letters To The Editor
Tackling Public Corruption
The Sept. 28 editorial "Stroger and a subpoena" encouraged the Cook County state's attorney's office to "push hard" in our efforts to tackle government corruption and continue to work to break a pattern in which it seems only federal authorities aggressively pursue possible cases of corruption in county government.
Level crime-fighting playing field
The General Assembly has left Illinois in the dark ages by refusing time and again to give its prosecutors the same tools used for generations in other states (and the federal system) to fight organized criminal groups. For example, in Illinois, an undercover officer in the state system cannot make a consent-based recording ("wear a wire") without first filing a sworn statement explaining the equivalent of probable cause that a certain crime is being committed. In this way, state investigators are stuck in a classic "Catch-22" wherein they cannot use the very device designed to reveal probable cause -- unless they already have the probable cause.
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is set to become the first sitting state’s attorney to lead the Chicago Bar Association.
Cook County State's Atty. Anita Alvarez has opened an office on Chicago's Far North Side to prosecute local crime.
If you’re a local prosecutor and want to go after gangs or drug dealers, state law gives you an arsenal of powerful weapons. One of the most potent: the ability to eavesdrop on conversations by tapping a telephone.
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial
Not county prosecutor - yet. Say you’re an ambitious county prosecutor who wants to stamp out political corruption. Say you’ve got solid evidence that a certain politician is a crook, but the only way to really get the goods on him is to listen in on his phone conversations – and you’ve exhausted every other investigative option. 
By Dan Carden dcarden@dailyherald.com
- Laura Washington