News
September 13, 2012
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (left) grants to the Executive Director and Founder of the Black Star Project, Phillip Jackson, the 2012 Community Empowerment Award on this day, to commemorate the Unity Month on the 4th Annual Unity Conference. Phillip Jackson is recognized for their innovative programs that build, empower, and strengthens the community through opportunities involving improved educational outcomes.
March 13, 2012
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez welcomes the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Sara Collins and the Queen’s Court to the Cook County Office and assists the entourage through their annual visit to local dignitaries, as she personally conveys the invitation for the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In the picture, from left to right: Mary Kate Casey, Bridget Fitzgerald, State’s Attorney Alvarez, Queen Sara Collins, Lauren Catinella, and Lauren Corry.
September 7, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (right) grants to the Director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola University Chicago, Katherine Kaufka Walts, the 2011 Community Empowerment Award on this day, to commemorate the Unity Month on the 3rd Annual Unity Conference. Katherine Kaufka Walts is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, which aims to understand and protect the human rights of children from both the local and global communities.
August 24, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announces alongside several law enforcement officials the charges against nine gang members arrested from the long-term undercover investigation – Operation “Little Girl Lost”, which is the nation’s first-ever state-based wiretap investigation that focuses on the abolishment of human trafficking, especially of children and young women.
March 10, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez welcomes the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Sarah Gorecki and the Queen’s Court to the Cook County Office and assists the entourage through their annual visit to local dignitaries, as she personally conveys the invitation for the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez in the company of the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Sarah Gorecki, and the Queen’s court during their annual visit to local dignitaries’ offices. In the picture, from left to right: Sara Collins, Kelley McKenna, State’s Attorney Alvarez, Queen Sarah Gorecki, Peg Flisk, and Erin Mulcahy.
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez with members of the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band during the annual St. Patrick’s Day visit to local dignitaries’ offices.
March 3, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (center), the immediate former president of the Chicago Bar Association, joins the retired Circuit Court Judge Honorable Sheila Murphy (left) and the Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court Honorable Joy V. Cunningham in an interfaith prayer breakfast hosted by the CBA.
March 1, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (left) applauds and congratulates Zeophus “Zee” Williams on her recent appointment as the Chairwoman of the Illinois Child Support Advisory Committee.
March 1, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez joins Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Retail Merchants Association representatives in the signing of the Organized Retail Theft Bill – the legislation that shall strengthen the state’s effort to combat organized retail crime.
February 4, 2011
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez gives a speech in the press conference hosted by the United States Senator Dick Durbin, discussing the vitality of the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program, which provides assistance for the payment of eligible educational loans for prosecutors and public defenders.
December 8, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez receives grant from Target Corporation to fund operations of the new Cook County State’s Attorney Regional Organized Crime Task Force. In the picture is State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (center) with members of the Target Investigative Team (left to right) Nathan Watson, Seth Hughes, Assistant State’s Attorney David Williams, Al Moriarty, and Bob Lawson.
October 30, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez joins the United Neighborhood Organization’s Carrera De Los Muertos/Race of the Dead 5K in the Pilsen neighborhood of the metropolitan Chicago.
October 29, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez joins United States Senator Dick Durbin in the recent inspection of Anne’s House – the Residential Program that provides long-term assistance and treatment services to victims of sex-trafficking, particularly young women.
September 15 , 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez declares the charges against six convicted offenders arrested from the second round of the Operation “Cookie Jar” – the ongoing investigative operation, which campaigns against public corruption, specifically targeting public of government officials involved in theft and other related offenses. In the picture, from left to right: Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau Jack Blakey, State’s Attorney’s Anita Alvarez, and Inspector General and State’s Office Secretary Jim Burns.
September 8, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez grants to the Director of Coraźon Community Services, Adam Alonzo, the Community Empowerment Award on this day, to commemorate the Unity Month on the 2nd Annual Unity Conference. Adam Alonzo is recognized for their holistic social services that aims to improve the quality of life for the youth and children, including their families, accomplished in a culturally sensitive environment.
August 23, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez meets visitors from South Africa and joins them in the visiting of the Cook County Juvenile Court Center. In the picture, from left to right: Mpho Malaoa of the Malibongwe Women’s Development Organization, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Councilwoman Beatrice Truter of the Women’s Development Issues, and Chairman and Pastor Leonard Maart of the Community Police Forum and Presbyterian Church Elsies River.
August 20, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez addresses the mass, and expressed her support to Governor Pat Quinn in mandating the Illinois Safe Children’s Act – a bill drafted by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office that aims to revolutionize law enforcement processes of juvenile crimes related to human trafficking, and ultimately, to abolish sex trafficking, criminal prostitution and exploitation of children.
July 22, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez – the first female, first Latina, and first career prosecutor to be the Cook County State’s Attorney – receives the Maestro Award for Latina Leadership during The Maestros Award Ceremony in downtown Chicago. The Latino Leaders Magazine describes State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez as a trailblazer for being one who helped paved the way for Latinas.
July 22, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez addresses the media in a press conference announcing the outcomes of the joint investigation and collaborative work of the State’s Attorney’s Office with Federal and State authorities, involving firearms and gangs. In the picture, from left to right: Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis, U.S. Attorneys Patrick Fitzgerald and Robert Grant, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office
May 2 , 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez talks about new initiatives of the State’s Attorney’s Office to combat human trafficking, gun violence, and local corruption in the Sunday morning show “News Views” of ABC 7.
May 18, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, President of the Chicago Bar Association, addresses and introduced retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as the keynote speaker at a legal luncheon held in Chicago, by the CBA.
May 4, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez led “Team Alvarez” during the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s 6th Annual Run, in memory of the fallen CPD Officer Alejandro “Alex” Valadez, who was killed in a drive-by shooting of gang members in 2009. The 6th annual run was held at the Chicago’s lakefront on Saturday, May 1, 2010.
April 30, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (center) applauds three Assistant State’s Attorneys for recent achievement of being honored and recognized by the Chicago Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration for their exemplary work in the 2009 multi-agency narcotics investigation. In the picture, from left to right: Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Office of the DEA Stephen Luzinski, Assistant State’s Attorney Bronwyn Sears, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Assistant State’s Attorneys Patrick Coughlin and Andy Maloney.
April 21, 2010
State’s Attorney Alvarez Honors “Unsung Heroes”
In the Fight for Justice
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez honors and commends extraordinary efforts of individuals and entities who serve and assist victims, during the Victim Service Awards, in commemoration of the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. In the picture, from left to right: Ursula Villatoro, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Karli Butler, and Palatine Police Chief John Koziol.
March 17, 2010State’s Attorney Alvarez Addresses
Wise Latinas Brunch at ECC
March 11, 2010
2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Visits State’s Attorney
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez welcomes the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Kerry Ann Brennan and the Queen’s Court to the Cook County Office and assists the entourage through their annual visit to local dignitaries, as she personally conveys the invitation for the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez in the company of the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen Kerry Ann Brennan and the Queen’s Court, along with the members of the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band during the annual St. Patrick’s Day visit to local dignitaries’ offices.
March 7, 2010
In the picture, from left to right: Counsel General of Israel Orli Gil, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, and Chairman of the Hate Crimes Prosecution Council Howard Kaplan.
February 23, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez honors and applauds 2012 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 on the well-deserved success of the James Fitzgerald for his recent retirement, as he ends his esteemed 25-year legal career at the State’s Attorney’s Criminal Appeals Division. He is well recognized for the thousands of criminal appeals he has argued before the Illinois Supreme Court, on nearly 50 occasions.
December 14, 2009
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office personnel shows the true meaning of holidays through providing early Christmas presents to the students of the Henson Elementary School in the West Side of Chicago.
December 9th, 2009
Alvarez v. Smith
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez delightfully announces the decision of the United States Supreme Court to divest drug dealers of possessions and properties, upholding the constitutionality of the Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act of the Illinois Law.
December 2, 2009
Congratulations on the well-deserved success of the members of the Child Support Enforcement Unit, awardee of the Best Local Collaboration Award, in recognition of their work in the management of child support enforcement in both interstate and internationally.
November 25, 2009
Congratulations on the well-deserved success of Investigator Brian Killacky, awardee of the United States Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s J. Pat Finley Child Protection Lifetime Achievement Award.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez ranked 79th out of the 511 women who joined the United Neighborhood Organization’s Carrera De Los Muertos/Race of the Dead 5K in the Pilsen neighborhood of the metropolitan Chicago, finishing the race within 27 minutes and 34 seconds.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Twentieth Annual Homicide Victims Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the UIC Forum, to once again, bring special tribute to victims of homicide. This event aims to bring people together to reflect upon the memories of their loved ones through music, prayer, testimonials and tributes, and a light lunch. Over 100 memorial photo boards will be on display at the service.
The program begins at 10 am, with the Victim Resource Fair. It also includes an Introductory Blessing and Opening Remarks to be given by the Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez at 11 am, followed by testimonials by the victim survivors. The afternoon program, which starts at 12 pm, includes the Victim Resource Fair, as well as some music and refreshment. From 1:30 – 3:30 pm, a Homicide Support Group will be provided.
For more information on, and to get involved with the memorial service, you may contact the Victim Witness Assistance Program at (773) 869-7200.
Thursday, September 30, 2009
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez pioneers the first Unity in the Community Conference, with the goal to reach out to community leaders, as well as to inform the citizens of the services the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office provides. The conference was held on September 30, 2009, at the University of Illinois, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Events
March 5, 2010
State’s Attorney Cracking Down on Local Corruption
The indictment on local public corruption is aggressively performed, in which corrupt public servants from city treasurers to financial managers who steal from funds allotted for special education students are being particularly targeted. “Operation Cookie Jar” is discussed further by Roseanne Tellez of CBS 2.
March 17, 2010
Hate crimes a priority for Alvarez as reports continue to decrease
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez received discrimination during her campaign for the office in 2008, in which she was presented with disapproval, claiming that the county’s voters would not elect a woman, especially a Latina to lead the second-largest criminal justice system in the nation.
March 11, 2010
Hate crimes a priority for Alvarez as reports continue to decrease
Cook County State’s Anita Alvarez emphasizes the need for prosecutors and law enforcement officers to maintain a commitment to prosecuting hate crimes to sustain and further improve the eradication of hate crimes; several cases continue to decrease throughout Illinois.
February 24, 2010
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez manifests the current situation of several young citizens of Chicago in a United States Senate Hearing on Wednesday. State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez indicates the tendency of these young individuals to practice “survival sex,” in which they sell their bodies in exchange for food, clothing, or housing.
SouthtownStar Editorial
January 15, 2010
Here’s Hoping Flowers Arrest Brings Reform
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez receives commendation from citizens of Chicago for her efforts on the public corruption crackdown.
Chicago Tribune Letters to The Editor
June 19, 2009
Level crime-fighting playing field
United Nations General Assembly refuses to grant Illinois to mandate the use of tools, explicitly wiretapping, to combat organized criminal groups. The prosecutors and state investigators are left with the classic “Catch-22” method, in which they are only allowed to use said device if probable cause has already been established. In contrast, other states are able to use wiretapping devices in order to reveal the likely cause.
June 18, 2009, CHICAGO
Alvarez becomes President of Chicago bar group
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, first incumbent State’s Attorney to be appointed as the President of the Chicago Bar Association.
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will take the oath of office to be the President of the Chicago Bar Association in CBA’s annual meeting.
May 8, 2009
Cook prosecutors open Far North Side branch
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez opens the new office in the Far North Side of Chicago to focus on prosecuting crime in the local area.
Chicago Tribune – Editorial
Busting Crooked Pols
Wiretapping gives more power to Illinois state prosecutors in investigation and conviction of organized criminal groups, including drug dealers and gangs.
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial
Reforming Illinois: Who’s listening in?
March 23, 2009
Aspiring county prosecutors with objectives to abolish local public corruption may inquire and investigate certain politicians through wiretapping, given probable cause.
Proposal pushes for stolen gun notification
Illinois House Committee approves a draft requiring firearm owner of the state to report lost or stolen guns to the police within 72 hours on Wednesday. Failure to account for lost firearm shall result in the property owner’s forfeiture of the right to own a gun. The proposal aims to reduce and eradicate gun crime and gun trafficking and ease the tracing of stolen guns and the prosecution of thieves of firearms.
GLBT applause-o-meter rings, and pols listen
Politicians received considerable acclamation on Saturday Night at the Equality Illinois Gala. A thunder of applause erupted as Dawn Clark-Netsch strutted across the stage in her Christmas-themed, billowy green and red gown.
Updated: July 29, 2020