Anita Alvarez

Anita Alvarez
Cook County State's Attorney
Incumbent
Assumed office 2008
Preceded by	Richard A. Devine
Personal details
Born	January 16, 1960 Chicago
Political party	Democratic
Residence	River Forest, Illinois
Alma mater	Maria High School Loyola University Chicago Chicago-Kent College of Law
Occupation	Attorney

Anita Alvarez is the State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois. Alvarez is the first Hispanic woman elected to this position, after being the first Latina to win the Democratic nomination for state attorney of Cook County.

Background

Anita Alvarez made history when she was chosen by voters in 2008 to serve as the Cook County State’s Attorney. Not only did Alvarez become the first female and the first Hispanic State’s Attorney, she also became the first career prosecutor ever elected to this important public safety position. Alvarez has spent her entire legal career in public service in the State’s Attorney’s Office representing the victims of crime in Cook County.

Alvarez began her career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in 1986 and steadily worked her way up through the ranks, handling hundreds of felony cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, armed robbery, criminal sexual assaults and domestic violence. She has argued before the Illinois Appellate Court and tried more than 50 felony jury trials. Prior to entering the race for Cook County State’s Attorney, she served as Chief Deputy State’s Attorney; Chief of Staff to the Cook County State's Attorney; Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau; Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Bureau, and Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit. She also spent 3 ½ years in the Gang Crimes Unit where she prosecuted gang-related homicides.

Alvarez was promoted to the Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit in 1996, where she was responsible for prosecuting city, county, and state employees who committed felonies and violated the public trust. She personally tried police officers on corruption charges. In 1999, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Bureau where she supervised the prosecution of drug cases as well as long-term narcotics investigations in conjunction with Chicago and suburban police departments.

In 2001, Alvarez tried the case of the People of the State of Illinois v. Patrick Sykes, which was commonly referred to in widespread media as the ‘Girl X” Case. Her successful prosecution of Sykes resulted in his conviction for the predatory criminal sexual assault of a 9- year-old-girl who was left paralyzed, blind, without speech and confined to a wheelchair after the brutal attack in the Cabrini Green housing project. Anita's tireless work and dedication ensured that, despite the victim's daunting physical challenges, she was able to come to court and fearlessly face her attacker. From the podium at her swearing-in ceremony as State’s Attorney, Anita acknowledged Shatoya Currie for her courage and perseverance in the face of monumental challenges.

State's Attorney

In her first five years on the job Alvarez has worked to stem the tide of gang and gun violence by drafting a new law that has increased criminal penalties for gang members arrested with guns. Gang members convicted under the new law face a mandatory prison sentence and are no longer eligible for parole. In addition, Alvarez has stepped up the investigation and prosecution of public and government corruption; opened three new community-based prosecutions offices, and formed a mortgage fraud investigations and prosecutions unit. She also created a Human Trafficking Initiative that works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to crack down on individuals and human trafficking groups that exploit children. She also authored the Illinois Safe Children Act, a sweeping new law that enhances protections for juveniles caught in the sex trade and provides new legal tools for police and prosecutors to target those who prostitute children.

Alvarez was interviewed in a 2012 60 Minutes report entitled Chicago: The false confession capital. In it, she defends police conduct in two cases involving false confessions where courts vacated the convictions and gave certificates of innocence to the defendants. Despite the courts' actions and the lack of DNA evidence, Alvarez says in the interview, "I don't know whether he committed the crime or not. There are still unanswered questions in both of these cases that I couldn't sit here and tell you today that they're all guilty or they're all innocent." She admits that in one of the rape cases, they did not find any of the boys' DNA on the victim or in the basement of the house where the crime occurred. In the other case, the DNA that was found was matched to a convicted rapist. Peter Neufeld, of The Innocence Project, says prosecutors rejected the new evidence and suggested necrophilia (having sex with a dead person) as a possible explanation for why a convicted rapist's DNA may have come in contact with the victim. Alvarez, in response, says, "It's possible. We have seen cases like that."

Cook County State's Attorney Alvarez is defending Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios in a suit against Berrios filed in 2001 by Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard. Blanchard is seeking a response from Berrios to a subpoena requesting documents related to a manager in Berrios' office obtaining two exemptions intended for a primary residence. Berrios ignored the subpoena, claiming that the County Inspector General has no authority over him.

Professional and Community Associations

Alvarez is active in various bar associations and organizations. In 2009, she served as President of the Chicago Bar Association, one of the largest metropolitan bar organizations in the nation. She was also a founding member of the National Hispanic Prosecutors Association and served as its National President. Alvarez was chosen as a fellow in the 2004 class of Leadership Greater Chicago and served on their board from 2004 – 2006. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Trustees for Fenwick High School and is active in alumnae activities for her alma mater, Maria High School.

Awards and Honors

Alvarez has been honored by various groups and organizations throughout her career. In 2001 she was named Person of the Year by Chicago Lawyer Magazine. That same year, she was honored for her work in the Girl X case by the Council for Disability Rights for precedent setting advocacy. In 2002 she was the recipient of the Professional Achievement Award from Chicago-Kent College of Law. In 2005 Alvarez was named Person of the Year by the Latin American Police Association and also named States Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission. Alvarez is a frequent speaker and lecturer to many organizations and from 2002 to 2005 was an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School.

Personal life

A Chicago native, Anita Alvarez was born and raised by working class parents in the Pilsen neighborhood. She attended Maria High School and received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago. Alvarez earned her Law Degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is married to Dr. James Gomez and has four children.

Electoral History

• 2008 Democratic Primary

• 2008 General Election

Anita Alvarez was elected as Cook County State's Attorney in November 2008. Alvarez faced two challengers from both the Republican and Green Party in November 2008's general election. The two challengers were Cook County Commissioner for the 16th district Tony Peraica, and the Green Party's Thomas O'Brien.

• 2012 General Election

Alvarez was reelected to a second term as Cook County State's Attorney in 2012 after defeating Republican challenger Lori Yokoyama. Alvarez won 77% of the vote.

External links

• Anita Alvarez's Campaign Website
• Cook County States Attorney website