[[Dont miss] Illinois primary 2022: What to know before Tuesdays Election Day], [[Dont miss] See how all the candidates answered our questions plus who the Tribune Editorial Board endorsed], [[Dont miss] Whats an endorsement, and why does the Tribune Editorial Board do them? Chicago police officers place blue ribbons on trees outside District 8 Chicago Lawn Police Station on March 2, 2023, in honor of police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso who was fatally shot the night before. The Rev. Willie Wilson was criticized by the board for some of his controversial statements on the campaign trail, though he was praised for his philanthropy and personal success. Officers including Vasquez-Lasso encountered someone who was chasing a woman down the street with a gun, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said late Wednesday. Before the primaries, the Tribune Editorial Board posed a series of questions to the candidates to inform voters and make endorsements. At the same time, we have to acknowledge that she did not have the evidence to sustain the heavy charges she brought against the officers in the Gray case; her assertion that she would do nothing differently if given the chance is simply bizarre given the trials outcomes. 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. Edward Burke, the bribery probe involving Commonwealth Edison, and the bombshell charges levied against ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan last March. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Tribune lauded her prosecutorial experience but cited concerns over her leadership. Foxx understands that disconnect; wanting to heal it is her most compelling rationale for seeking the office. 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 . In a sit-down with reporters a few months into his tenure, Lausch was careful to steer clear of any political questions, saying he was not getting pressure from Washington to change any office policies but declining to comment specifically about Trumps tweets. Copyright 2022 Attorney-FAQ.com | version 5.1.20 (commit d0adbc) Laravel v 8.83.26 | (PHP v8.1.16), Home (current) | We endorse William Tong as attorney general. Beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. 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. Pfannkuche would need a No. He faces bribery charges in connection with the states notorious red-light camera scandal, and has entered a not guilty plea. But not his teammates. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia now has the endorsements of both U.S. senators from Illinois. Lightfoot changed her tone after speaking with Lausch, her former colleague at the U.S. attorneys office, whom she said she admired and trusted. Matt Foley of St. Gall Catholic Church leads a procession back to their church after walking in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue in Chicago to sanctify the ground where Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was shot and killed. Read the full editorial here. Baltimores states attorney also must be held accountable, and we believe it is time for a change in that office. In the interim, Lauschs deputy, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Morris Sonny Pasqual, will serve as acting U.S. attorney, believed to be the first Black person to ever have that role. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) 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." And this is a way from a federal law enforcement standpoint that we can make an impact.. During the past three years, Baltimore has suffered its worst period of violence on record with more than 1,100 people killed. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune). John Lausch has served the citizens with magnificent distinction, Pasqual said in the written release. Former Kane County prosecutor Jamie Mosser has decided to run for Kane County state's attorney in the 2020 election. But the top job of state's attorney involves many other skills: judgment about law enforcement priorities and conduct; frank and comfortable communication with the public; administration of a big and vital office that, like all of county government, will have to get smaller as pension costs crush budgets.. All candidates for Illinois judicial offices in the March 20 primary election have been rated by Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) evaluation committees, or in a poll conducted by ISBA. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. In addition to ruling on cases appealed from the lower courts, the Supreme Court appoints judges to fill vacancies, creates rules that courts must follow, and oversees attorney licensing and discipline. 9th District: Matt Podgorski 15th District: No endorsement 17th District: Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman Find a downloadable, printable list of Chicago Tribune election endorsements and. What else should Illinoisans know about DeVore? 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. Officers located the car later that evening and tried to make a stop, the report said, but the driver fled. 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. CHICAGO A Cook County prosecutor was reportedly placed on leave for the misleading description he gave in court about the fatal shooting of Adam Toledo before the video release. When Chicago police Superintendent David Brown fired Robert Boik, CPDs executive director of constitutional policing and reform, we told Chicagoans that Browns decision marked a big step backward. The November election comes four months after the June 28 primary the quickest turnaround since at least the Great Depression. Of the Houses 118 seats, 78 feature contested races. (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune). Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a campaign event on Aug. 25, 2022, at a Jackson County Democrats dinner in Murphysboro. Montano, who was injured in an exchange of gunfire with Vasquez-Lasso, was expected to appear in bond court Friday, according to Chicago police. Here are the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board 's 2022 endorsements for the Nov. 8 elections. But as violent crime rates rise, citizens, too, will have to do more especially to help police and prosecutors find perpetrators and put them away. They are my family, and Im their family as well, Cuellar said. The need to bridge that disconnect between Chicago communities and their police officers is one of several reasons we're hoping for a fresh start at state's attorney. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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." 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. She spent 12 years as an assistant state's attorney, mostly in juvenile court, and served as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.. The point is to augment, collaborate where needed, and more aggressively work to ensure that corruption no longer persists as a defining characteristic of Illinois politics. The Chicago Tribune editorial board made their long-awaited endorsement in the upcoming mayoral election on Friday, backing former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas for the city's top job. Brandon Johnson was rejected an endorsement due to proposals to raise taxes that the board says would cause more people to leave Chicago. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Meet the candidates for the 2022 Illinois General Election, which will be held on Nov. 8, 2022. 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. Foxx is a strong communicator. Brown told reporters Wednesday outside Mount Sinai Hospital that the officer was shot multiple times.. It will take a change in state law to make that happen, but Raoul says his team has made recommendations to the General Assemblys Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to broaden the AGs authority over corruption cases, as well as to ramp up the powers of the Legislative Inspector Generals Office. We agree that her announcement of charges against the six officers involved in Freddie Grays death staved off violence. All rights reserved, Indiana State Trooper Struck and Killed by Suspect During Police Chase, Chicago FOP Lodge Reelects John Catanzara as President, 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. "This is a slate that represents the values . Kim Foxx, left, and Patrick O'Brien, right, are candidates for Cook county State's Attorney in the 2020 election. That long tradition of. 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. 2022. v. t. e. The 2020 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Illinois, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives . Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a jury 12 years ago. He also faced criticism over not acknowledging the effects of prolonged school closures, which the board said is likely tied to the support he receives from the Chicago Teachers Union. Jun 16 2022. chicago tribune state's attorney endorsement The editorial board makes these recommendations based on the evaluations of major bar associations, including the Chicago Council of Lawyers, interviews with judges and attorneys who know the work of the candidates, and information provided by the candidates to the board. If nothing else, that list should serve as a sobering reminder that dismantling the culture of corruption staining Illinois politics must be a top priority for prosecutors at every echelon of government. Some well-known lawyers in the region are going to bat for Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, President Joe Bidens nominee for the 7th U.S. But not his teammates. The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police threw its support Thursday behind Patrick O'Brien, the Republican candidate running to unseat embattled Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. Both incumbent judges, Aurelia Marie Pucinski and Mary Katherine Rochford, are recommended YES for retention. I want to thank John for his tremendous stewardship of the office, and I wish him well in his future endeavors., Joseph Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago, has previously said Lauschs exit had been in the works since last year, and that he will be taking some time off before considering career options.. The politically charged issue of Chicago violence came to a head again two years later, when Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2020 threatened to sue after Trump announced he was sending federal agents to Chicago to tackle violent crime, which she said was done without her permission. A nominee of Republican President Donald Trump, Lausch was originally asked by the incoming Biden administration to step down from his post in 2021 along with other Trump holdovers. That is not the entirety of this job. Click here to download a PDF of our bedsheet ballot, which lists all of the candidates the editorial board is endorsing in the general election. Indictments stemming from the probe are expected soon, his office said. The CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) invites you to view its evaluations of candidates running to fill vacancies on the Appellate and Circuit Courts in the upcoming general election to be held on November 8, 2022. A slate of incumbents will retain their seats on the Township High School District 214 board following the April 6 election. Read the full editorial here. 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. The killing happened hours after Brown announced he was resigning from the department and one day after Mayor Lori Lightfoot failed to garner enough votes to make the runoff election for her job. Instead, she styles herself as Baltimores chief advocate and prime mover for law enforcement reform, but that job actually belongs to the federal consent decree monitoring team. Officers were responding to a domestic-related call of a man with a gun in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. But not his teammates. The . Lausch succeeded Zachary Fardon, who stepped down from the post after Trump asked for the resignations of all Obama administration-era U.S. attorney holdovers. 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. Her critics may try to blame her for that instability, but she didnt fire the police commissioners. We endorse him. And Foxx would need a deputy who has the gritty experience with criminal law that she lacks. In the end, it was Pfannkuche who persuaded us to endorse Foxx. Courthouse, which is likely to be the biggest public corruption trial in Chicago since former Gov. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). Read the full editorial here. For years, we have argued candidates running for state attorney general should carve out a bigger role in tackling corruption in Illinois politics. State Sen. Emil Jones III is the latest. The incumbent, Marilyn Mosby, has made a strong defense of her record, and we believe that it has merit in some important. Here are our choices for contested races in the court's 15 subcircuits. Our second concern has been whether Foxx wants to be a crime-buster or public defender (actually an appointed post). Roderick Sawyer's positions are "reasoned and thoughtful," though he is not expected to gain much traction in the race. Watching Foxx and Pfannkuche debate,we were struck by what a good team they would make. WTTW's 2020 Voter Guide is your comprehensive library of resources for the General Election on November 3. The public has demanded urgency and new approaches from everyone involved in trying to stop the killings. Read the full editorial here. In the highly-contested race for Cook County State's Attorney, the Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed candidate Kim Foxx Friday. He said he came because he has quite a few police officer friends and wanted to share in their grief. Foxx, Alvarez and former state and federal prosecutor Donna More face off in the March 15 Democratic primary. Read part two of the Tribunes endorsements for Illinois Senate here. Someone who knows the intricacies of felony statutes, what the precise burdens of proof will be, which arguments a jury is likely to embrace or discard. 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. Read the full editorial here. It's an endorsement to move forward and finally get the city and the state, most importantly, moving forward," he said. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He knows Baltimore judges and juries. If nothing else, that list should serve as a sobering reminder that dismantling the culture of corruption staining Illinois politics must be a top priority for prosecutors at every echelon of government. June 30, 2022 . But it is why this job exists. Yet we endorse one of her challengers, Kim Foxx, in the Democratic primary for state's attorney.. We endorse a no vote. She sounds to us as if, presented with the same facts, she might make the same judgments again. In this month's Democratic primary, we endorse attorney Ivan Bates. The defendant, who had no prior record, was given an I-bond after being charged on July 29, 2022, with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, after running from a vehicle that had been stopped by police, according to the statement issued by her office. Matt Foley, the pastor of St. Gall Church,led the procession to the scene Thursday morning, carrying the Blessed Sacrament while a crowd of mourners followed him to pay respects and sanctify the ground where Vasquez-Lasso was fatally shot. Today we endorse Kim Foxx for the same good reasons, and with the same two concerns, as we did before the primary. And she had worked as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, helping administer a $4 billion budget. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Heres the first installment of the Tribune Editorial Boards endorsements for Illinois House contests. Democratic Cook County state's attorney candidate Kim Foxxmeets with the Tribune Editorial Board on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. 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. Also noteworthy is former State Representative John Cabello's . Beyond a polite hello in the elevator, prosecutors should be fiercely independent of politicians, especially those who sign off on their budget. Police eventually curbed the car, and the suspect and two others ran away, the report alleged. Signs promote candidates for office in downtown Waukegan. Both final mayoral candidates touched on the death of Vasquez-Lasso on the first full day of campaigning ahead of the April 4 matchup, with Paul Vallas, who ran on a tough-on-crime platform, criticizing Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx for dismissing misdemeanor charges against the suspect, Montano, in November. Printable PDF guides available on the right side bar or see bottom of page on your phone. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Together, we mourn the loss of our hero, the Police Department said in a statement. Cuellar has been part of regular prayer meetings in the park hosted by some community members since the death of Ella French in 2021. And Orland Park constitutional attorney David Shestokas, a former congressional candidate, is back on the campaign trail after arguing alongside Rudy Giuliani in 2020 with false claims that votes in Pennsylvania and beyond were illegitimately counted to prevent former President Donald Trump from winning a second term. Today, the Cook County Democratic Party presented its recommendations for statewide, countywide and judicial races in the 2022 primary. A similar move in Portland, Oregon, had led to widespread denouncement after unidentified federal agents wearing camouflage uniforms were recorded making arrests. Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund that owns the Tribune, announced that its nearly 200 papers will no longer endorse major political candidates. J.B. Pritzkers pandemic-related executive orders. 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. That includes the office of Illinois attorney general. Another key task on the shoulders of the state attorney general involves ensuring the Chicago Police Departments compliance with the consent decree, the 2019 court order that lays out steps the city must take to reform the department in the wake of the 2014 murder of Black teenager Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer. That office is the General Assemblys watchdog, but lawmakers had weakened the IGs powers to a point where one-time Inspector General Carol Pope called her office a paper tiger.. For now, reports Crain's Greg Hinz Endorsement: . Foxx suggested to us that she does understand the crime-fighting demands of the job, the endorsement reads. Former Illinois governor Pat Quinn also endorsedKim Foxx in the race for States Attorney on Sunday. iowa total care number chicago tribune state's attorney endorsement. This week, Chicago Tribune reported its endorsements in the March 20 Illinois primary election. To what extent will candidates stances on pivotal national issues such as abortion, gun control and inflation hold sway in these races? Chicago Tribune; The Baltimore Sun; The Morning Call of Pa. Daily Press of Va. Read candidate questionnaires and see other endorsements atchicagotribune.com/candidates. 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. 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. In the primary election held on June 28, voters selected Republican and Democratic . We trust that she could connect with people in those violence-ravaged communities. The office also represents the County in civil proceedings. Foxx served as Preckwinkles chief-of-staff. Nor have we joined the more recent chorus arguing that Alvarez's handling of the Laquan McDonald case disqualifies her from office. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. Foxx suggested to us that she does understand the crime-fighting demands of the job. We believe Ivan Bates is that person. 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. According to a high-ranking Tribune executive . Second, in that session with our editorial board, we tried to make sure Foxx is running for chief prosecutor, not for public defender (actually an appointed post). Alvarez, who has worked in the office for nearly three decades, was previously endorsed by the Tribune in 2008 and 2012. 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. Foxx, a Chicago native, served as an assistant Cook County states attorney for 12 years and has emerged as a viable replacement for embattled incumbent Anita Alvarez. The board marked disagreements with State Rep. Kam Buckner on matters of education, while calling the legislator an inspiring figure who should continue to play a role in Chicago's political future, while offering similar words for activist Ja'Mal Green. But Alvarez has the benefit of that hindsight, too, and she isn't using this campaign to demand the fixes. [[Dont miss] Election 2022: What Illinois races do you care most about and what issues are important to you? racketeering case against Chicago Ald. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). How rigorously oversight boards pursue accusations of officer misconduct. From policing to prosecution to trial to incarceration to parole, citizens are demanding better of their criminal justice system. On Vallas' law enforcement policy, the Tribune board said that with the "ear of rank-and-file police officers," Vallas is best positioned to both increase homicide clearance rates and reduce police misconduct in the city. 72. CHICAGO Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx issued a statement Thursday addressing the criminal history of the 18-year-old suspected of killing Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso on Wednesday as . Rogers Forge, Baltimore County. We find him unqualified for the job. 2 who could emphasize the hurt in poor neighborhoods. What we need is a prosecutor someone who will focus on building strong cases and securing convictions. Lawyer, admitted to the Maryland bar. In this important race, he is clearly the best qualified candidate. Yes, it's easy for her critics to pounce now, knowing the things we all know. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. And, debating her opponents before the Tribune Editorial Board, Alvarez repeatedly came up empty when pressed on a related question: If a judge hadn't ordered the release of that video, would she still be waiting for the feds to complete their investigation before she filed charges? 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. Christopher Pfannkuche will run unopposed on the Republican ticket. (Chicago Tribune). In this months Democratic primary, we endorse attorney Ivan Bates. Depending where you live, there are two contested vacancies: one in the 12th subcircuit and one in the 13th subcircuit. Baltimore Sun Opinion Editor Andy Green on The Sun's endorsement of Ivan Bates for State's Attorney. 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. And more. She has been endorsed by her former boss, Preckwinkle, and the county Democratic organization, the endorsement reads. The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police on Wednesday officially endorsed Pat O'Brien, the Republican nominee for Cook County state's attorney. That's the case Republican Christopher Pfannkuche (pronounced fon-COOK) makes for electing him chief prosecutor. In Election, Support for Abortion Rights Was About Much More Support for abortion rights did drive women to the polls in Tuesday's elections. Endorsements are made only in contested races. 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. The 2023 Chicago municipal elections will be held on Feb. 28. But the top job of state's attorney involves many other skills: judgment about law enforcement priorities and conduct; frank and comfortable communication with the public; administration of a big and vital office that, like all of county government, will have to get smaller as pension costs crush budgets. Alvarez came under fire amid the Laquan McDonald scandal. 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. 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 shot and killed Wednesday. 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. 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. Matt Foley of St. Gall Catholic Church leads a procession back to their church after walking in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue in Chicago to sanctify the ground where Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was shot and killed. The victim and witnesses described the car used in the shooting and its license plate, which police learned was stolen a couple of days earlier, according to a police report included in the police case file.