The DeKalb County State's Attorney's office currently strives to utilize the latest technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operation. We are in the process of enhancing our ability to conduct trials using state-of-the art equipment.
The last year has been extraordinarily challenging for the DeKalb County State's Attorney's office. Due to the high number of murder, reckless homicide, drug, sexual assault, weapons, and child pornography cases, we have essentially been working around the clock. In addition, we have the highly unusual task of prosecution the abduction and murder of a little girl that occurred more than a half century ago. To say that our resources are strained would be an understatement. However, the citizens of this county can be assured that the attorneys and staff in our office are utterly dedicated to the safety of all members of our community.
We are seeing an increasing influx of heroin in our community. This past year we have prosecuted an unusual number of drug-induced homicide cases involving heroin. With this and other dangerous drugs comes violence, particularly random gun violence. We are, in essence, at war with individuals coming to our community bent on making money dealing drugs. They are dangerous. To combat this, we are working closely with local statem, and federal law enforcement to design strategies to get these criminals off the streets. We are working closely with Northern Illinois University to share information and increase cooperation between our respective agencies. Most importantly, we are seeking stiff prison sentences for all individuals convicted of these types of offenses. We must make our community an unwelcome place for drug dealers and other violent offenders.
The biggest issue facing law enforcement in the county is resources. We need more officers throughout the county. We need to insure they have the latest equipment and technology to combat the drug and gun violence that continues to plague our streets. We need to provide them with the very best training available to catch the increasing number of internet predators trying to lure our children away from the protection of their parents. In essence, we need to insure that our police officers are always one step ahead of the criminals.
The most important distinction between myself and my opponent is experience. I have over two decades of criminal law experience here in DeKalb County and around Northern Illinois. He has none. I have handled hundreds of complex criminal cases. He has handled none. Throughout the years I have argued difficult cases before juries around the State. I have no knowledge of my opponent ever having participated in a jury trial. I pride myself on personally knowing all the law enforcement officials throughout the county. I am not sure he knows any of them. The most important responsibility of a State's Attorney is to keep our neighborhoods, schools and streets safe. This can only be accomplished with an experienced trial lawyer leading a team of prosecutors dedicated to maintaining public safety. I have that experience and my opponent does not.
In my over twenty years of practicing law in the DeKalb County Courthouse, the only effective way I have discovered to increase the speed of the process of cases is to avoid filing cases whenever possible. Precious time and resources are best devoted to the most serious cases. Less serious matters should be resolved quickly. Others should be diverted away from the court system to be handled in some other venue. We routinely try to divert kids away from the court system by putting the responsibility of punishment back where it belongs, with the parents.
Frankly, little is needed to “modernize” the State’s Attorney’s Office. The efficiency of the office will be enhanced when I take office by simply using a basic piece of technology – the telephone. Communicating with court officials, law enforcement officers and attorneys, by simply returning their phone calls, would be a tremendous improvement and will help to expedite the disposition of cases.
The State’s Attorney’s Office does have the resources to conduct its business. Although mismanagement and misallocation of those resources within the last year may have placed a strain on the resources of the office, a top-to-bottom review of office management, procedures, and structure must and will be conducted when I take office. A reallocation of resources will likely be required and can be used to reduce the size of the budget for the office, thus easing the tax burden on DeKalb County residents. Unfortunately, and because of his background representing criminals, my opponent is disqualified from prosecuting his former clients, many of whom have committed new crimes. As a result, the office must utilize and pay a special prosecutor from outside the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office to handle those cases, further straining limited resources.
Very big. The problem is a daily and harsh reality for our law enforcement agencies. The extent of the problem, however, may not be fully known to everyone. The State’s Attorney is in a unique position to address the problem, in that the office is responsible for prosecuting crimes committed throughout the county. Our county must pool its limited resources. With the assistance and leadership of the State’s Attorney’s Office, a joint task force should be formed by all of the law enforcement agencies in the county, not only for investigative purposes, but also for tactical purposes, to provide more immediate and effective responses to crimes. Having to rely on state or federal agencies is neither a timely nor effective way to combat crimes that are imminent or unfolding. By pooling our collective resources, we can compensate for shortfalls any one particular agency may have.
The biggest issue facing law enforcement is an increasing population of criminals choosing to live here, the byproduct of which is an expanded market for criminals outside of DeKalb County who come here to sell their wares and commit their crimes. Simply put, the best way to address the problem is to get rid of the criminals. The State’s Attorney, in concert with all of our law enforcement agencies, should change the environment of the county by making it unattractive to and inhospitable for the criminals already here, those who might consider relocating here, and those considering an expansion of their criminal enterprises here. Our criminal justice climate should be one that deals with criminals swiftly and harshly. A clear message must be sent that DeKalb County is not a place that will tolerate their presence or their criminal activities.
Leadership: I have provided it; my opponent has not. As a platoon sergeant, I was responsible for leading twenty to thirty soldiers at a time. Owning a law firm for nine years, I have led a staff of employees and managed a budget. Until a year ago, my opponent never held any leadership position, employed anyone, or managed any office’s budget. Experience: my opponent spent his legal career trying to help criminals avoid punishment. I have focused my practice on representing law-abiding citizens, something I will continue to do when elected. Reputation: I have worked very hard to earn my reputation of being honest, hard-working, punctual and competent; my opponent has devoted his time to being a perennial candidate, while neglecting his clients. Character: while my opponent has knowingly misrepresented my experience, I have opted to rely on the truth.
Solving this problem will require much greater efficiency, communication, and real leadership. The solution starts at the top. Having a State’s Attorney who is accustomed to getting things done, is willing to work with (and not against) all of the other participants in law enforcement and the court system, and who has true leadership skills will be essential. Focusing on finding a solution to this problem should be a top priority, as opposed to focusing on headlines, quotes and camera angles in so-called “high profile” cases. The primary role of the State’s Attorney is to serve the county, not to pursue his own political ambition or personal glory. Ensuring cases are disposed of competently and swiftly should not simply be a goal for the State’s Attorney, it is his obligation.
