We find him unqualified for the job. Lausch, however, took over in a hyperpartisan era and had to navigate a number of thorny issues, many of which arose from Trumps constant trolling of Chicago on Twitter over issues such as gun violence and immigration. It makes more sense for voters to try and figure out which candidate will best improve this most customer-service oriented of public offices. Nearly 70% of voters approved an additional .025% increase in property taxes, which would bring in $40 million dollars in new revenue annually to the preserves. It's a tall mountain to climb. Cuellar has been part of regular prayer meetings in the park hosted by some community members since the death of Ella French in 2021. (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune). He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. And it's fair for her to ride waves of public animus toward law enforcement in some communities. Courthouse in Chicago after verdicts were reached in the trial of singer R. Kelly . Read the full editorial here. He once griped in a Facebook post about an episode at a basketball game in which students struggled to give him correct change at a concession stand, the Tribune reported last month. The . Read candidate questionnaires and see other endorsements atchicagotribune.com/candidates. One of Lisa Madigans biggest shortcomings when she served as Illinois attorney general from 2003 to 2019 was her unwillingness to pursue public corruption cases, principally because of the conflict posed by her father, Michael Madigan, who wielded enormous clout as House speaker and chief of the Illinois Democratic Party. We want a state's attorney who'll focus on police misconduct, fairness to defendants and incarceration rates of the guilty. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Sophia King's whose constituency consists of both portions of downtown and struggling neighborhoods, "giving her experience on both sides of one of Chicagos most vexing and self-defeating battlefronts.". I personally went over last night to the 8th District, he told the Tribune. Amid that turmoil, Lausch was also leading his office through the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, which virtually shut down the courthouse for a significant period, led to difficulties assembling grand juries to hear cases and has left a backlog of criminal defendants awaiting trial. We endorse him. These are Democratic primary elections, except for a Republican race in the 13th subcircuit. Of the Houses 118 seats, 78 feature contested races. Lausch, 52, who hails from Joliet and currently lives in Chicagos Beverly neighborhood, captained the 1987 state champion Joliet Catholic football team and was a linebacker and team captain at Harvard University. Brandon Johnson was rejected an endorsement due to proposals to raise taxes that the board says would cause more people to leave Chicago. Brown was moving members of Boiks staff to patrol duty, and Boik told Brown the move would set back officer training mandated by the consent decree. Judge O'Malley began her legal career as an assistant state's attorney in Baltimore County, spending a decade in the criminal courts, prosecuting cases involving drug conspiracy, murders,. The candidates also discuss whether police misconductis systemic or the result of a few bad apples. Today we acknowledge Alvarez's 29-year career in this office. An early voting location at the Loop Super Site on June 23, 2022. We think Foxx, by contrast, in time would rebuild the public's trust, the editorial board wrote. The Tribune advocates for personal liberty, opportunity and enterprise, for free markets, free will and freedom of expression. She has the integrity and ability to serve the people of Cook County well as their states attorney.. But not his teammates. Brandon Johnson, Vallas opponent in the April runoff, said the officers death was a painful reminder of how much work we have to do in the city of Chicago to end violence., My prayers and my thoughts are with the family and all families involved, Johnson said. Foxx suggested to us that she does understand the crime-fighting demands of the job. Tribune reporters Jeremy Gorner, Paige Fry, Rosemary Sobol, Deanease Williams-Harris and Shanzeh Ahmad contributed. Our editorials seek to help readers make sound decisions. Democratic Cook County state's attorney candidate Kim Foxxmeets with the Tribune Editorial Board on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Read the full editorial here. This case also should have taught her the peril of binding together the state and federal investigations. What else should Illinoisans know about DeVore? A similar move in Portland, Oregon, had led to widespread denouncement after unidentified federal agents wearing camouflage uniforms were recorded making arrests. The task force is starting to yield results, including an investigation that led to the discovery of more than $1 million in stolen retail merchandise hidden in storage units, Raoul told us. Late Thursday, authorities charged Steven Montano, 18, of 2500 block of South Lawndale, with first-degree murder, weapons charges and interfering with a domestic violence report. Paul Vallas, 69, the former head of Chicago Public Schools, secured 34% of the vote, followed by Brandon Johnson, 46, who serves . Yet we endorse one of her challengers, Kim Foxx, in the Democratic primary for state's attorney.. Its seven justices serve 10-year terms, with three of the justices chosen by Cook County voters. The White House announced in February 2021 that Lausch could remain in office until a successor was nominated and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, though no official search for a replacement ever materialized. He was nominated by Trump after Durbin and Duckworth aided the White House in the search. In the end, it was Pfannkuche who persuaded us to endorse Foxx. On Thursday morning, about 100 people walked the two blocks from St. Gall Catholic Church in Gage Park, paying their respects at the block where Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was . By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Edward Burke, the bribery probe involving Commonwealth Edison, A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Alvarez's wordy non-answers to that question did nothing to quash the impression that she slow-walked this case, hoping for a joint news conference with the U.S. attorney when he finished his (still-unfinished) probe. That she could explain to them why cooperating with cops and prosecutors in finding and convicting the bad guys can curtail the bloodshed that takes so many of their children's lives. COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY DEMOCRAT FOXX, KIM (I) REPUBLICANS O'BRIEN, PATRICK 'PAT' LIBERTARIAN DENNEHY, BRIAN DUPAGE COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY REPUBLICAN BERLIN, ROBERT "BOB" (I) KANE. With respect for Alvarez's long service and also for the third candidate in the race, Donna More, the Tribune gives Kim Foxx its endorsement. Yet she hasn't adequately explained why she didn't charge the officer who shot McDonald until 13 months after the killing even though she says she had decided some time earlier to accuse him of first-degree murder. Raoul pledges to expand the attorney generals jurisdiction over corruption cases, and Illinoisans should hold him to that pledge. The board noted that Congressman Chuy Garcia's platform was too vague to issue an endorsement, while noting they were troubled by his associations with former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. Heres the first installment of the Tribune Editorial Boards endorsements for Illinois House contests. Raoul shares our concerns. Ask anyone who's ever worked near the top of the state's attorney's office. Jun 16 2022. chicago tribune state's attorney endorsement But not his teammates. Lausch was sworn in as U.S. attorney on Nov. 22, 2017, two weeks after being confirmed by unanimous voice vote in the Senate. WBEZ news coverage of the mayor's race and more from the 2023 municipal elections. They remark on Pritzker's inability to stand up to Democrats, particularly their tax-and-spend mentality contributing to the exodus of families leaving the state. The Chicago Tribune endorsed former State Sen. Paul Schimpf in the race. We can do both.. As the candidates for Cook County state's attorney debated the handling of the Laquan McDonald case before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Feb. 4, 2016, incumbent Anita Alvarez defended her investigation, saying, "I don't believe any mistakes were made." A rosary is among the items filling a memorial for slain Chicago police Officer Andrs Mauricio Vsquez Lasso along the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue, March 3, 2023. Following Mass, the Rev. We will never forget his selflessness and dedication as we continue to wrap our arms around his family and loved ones. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune). As we've written, beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. In that context, its entirely believable that the increase in dropped felony cases during her term is to a great extent the product of forces outside her control. Since Lausch took over, his office has charged more than 80 reputed gang members under the federal racketeering statute, which brings hefty mandatory minimum sentences and in some cases can carry the death penalty. The clear and present dangers of intrusion from county pols run from patronage to policy to principle. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. You don't think that could happen? That long tradition of. It is crucial to Pritzkers case for a second term. Vasquez-Lasso was in one of two pairs of responding officers who engaged with Montano, who allegedly ran away from the officers. He also repeated his campaign promises to use the bully pulpit of City Hall for directing Chicago police to press charges, which the department has the authority to do but is often thwarted when prosecutors drop those charges in bond court. I take the liberty of reproducing the Tribune's subcircuit endorsement editorial in full.The Tribune made endorsements Sunday in countywide races for the Cook County Circuit Court. "We are proud to present this diverse, accomplished slate of candidates as we ramp up for campaign season as a strong, united party organization," said Cook County Democratic Party Chairwoman Toni Preckwinkle. [Dont miss] Election 2022: What Illinois races do you care most about and what issues are important to you? Preceding him are four former Senate Democratic colleagues, Thomas Cullerton, Terry Link, Annazette Collins and Martin Sandoval (who died in 2020); a former GOP state senator, Sam McCann; former House Speaker and Democratic kingmaker Michael Madigan; and onetime Democratic state Reps. Luis Arroyo and Eddie Acevedo. Here are the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board 's 2022 endorsements for the Nov. 8 elections. Foxx, Alvarez and former state and federal prosecutor Donna More face off in the March 15 Democratic primary. Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a jury 12 years ago. Theyre more factionalized. Foxx got where she is with strong help from Preckwinkle and the county Democratic organization. TAKE THIS WITH YOU to the voting booth. Here are our choices for contested races in the court's 15 subcircuits. In the Illinois Supreme Courts Third District, which picks up Will and Kankakee counties, Democrat Justice Thomas Kilbride is on the ballot for retention to a 10-year term. State Sen. Emil Jones III is the latest. That is our belief today. Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx and Republican candidate Christopher Pfannkuche give their closing statements to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Sept. 13, 2016. In the months since the release of that breathtaking video of McDonald crumpling onto a street, many among us have come to better understand why so many law-abiding Chicagoans distrust the criminal justice system here. Lauschs last day in office will be March 11. Illinois is staring down many important issues, including the states support for abortion, the ongoing instability of state pensions, a looming recession, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the perennial issue of violent crime, an especially potent concern in the larger cities but with statewide impact. During a debate at the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx and Republican candidate Christopher Pfannkuche address how the Laquan McDonald case degraded the integrity of theoffice. But not his teammates. We gather and pray for everyone.. The first to lose reelection in 40 years, she suffered the same fate as Jane Byrne, the first and only other female mayor of Chicago, per Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved, Michigan Businessman Perry Johnson Launches Long-Shot 2024 Presidential Bid, Black Vietnam Veteran Finally Honored With Medal of Honor, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Chicago-Area Counties Under Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. In 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions tapped Lausch to oversee the process of sorting through roughly 880,000 records in part of the House probe into former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server. When she debated Pfannkuche before the Tribune Editorial Board, Foxx appeared more focused than she was in her primary campaign on the horrific killings by the hundreds in poor Chicago neighborhoods each year. She's given plenty of thought to the suspicions and hostilities that have animated metropolitan Chicago since the McDonald case erupted in the public consciousness a year ago. We must work together to find solutions that promote peace and safety for all.. For the list of sitting judges asking to be retained, nearly every one of them is recommended for retention by the three major judicial rating groups. Democratic Cook County state's attorney candidate Kim Foxxmeets with the Tribune Editorial Board on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. From policing to prosecution to trial to incarceration to parole, citizens are demanding better of their criminal justice system. Trying again on Tuesday, focused this time on crime, he was the top vote. But that doesn't mean Alvarez has handled her subsequent role in the case well. Organized theft is estimated to cost retailers across the country as much as $45 billion in annual sales, and entails both the smash-and-grab thefts seen at high-end stores along Michigan Avenue in recent years, as well as sophisticated operations that target merchandise in trucks and railroad cars. As the candidates for Cook County state's attorney debated the handling of the Laquan McDonald case before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Feb. 4, 2016, incumbent Anita Alvarez. She's had a much better view than most people of how the Independent Police Review Authority doesn't work, and she has known for quite some time that police videos often, or always, didn't have audio. Today we endorse Kim Foxx for the same good reasons, and with the same two concerns, as we did before the primary. The defendant, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was not charged with a felony because the evidence does not support a charge of gun possession for this offender. Endorsement: For state Senate, support incumbents Polsky and Berman. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). This primary election is critical for the direction of pro-family issues in Illinois, and the attorney general is a key office to protecting families' freedoms of choice in education, religion, and life. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune). Until Chicago police can show substantive evidence of reform, residents of Black and Latino neighborhoods will continue to harbor deep mistrust of law enforcement, and consequently avoid cooperating with police investigators probing the ceaseless cases of violent crime. He said he came because he has quite a few police officer friends and wanted to share in their grief. In this months Democratic primary, we endorse attorney Ivan Bates. Mary Kay O'Brien EI's State Legislative and County-Level Endorsement Press Release Illinois Senate (District Number - Name) 1 - Javier Loera Cervantes 2 - Omar Aquino 4 - Kimberly Lightford 6 - Sara Feigenholtz 7 - Mike Simmons 8 - Ram Villivalam 9 - Laura Fine 10 - Robert Martwick 12 - Celina Villanueva 13 - Robert Peters 16 - Willie Preston This week, Chicago Tribune reported its endorsements in the March 20 Illinois primary election. That she could explain to them why cooperating with cops and prosecutors in finding and convicting the bad guys can curtail the bloodshed that takes so many of their children's lives.. The State's Attorney Office works to uphold public safety through the fair and efficient administration of justice.