(en Español)

COMMUNITY PROSECUTION

In an effort to bring the services of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in closer contact with the communities that it serves, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez opened the first “Community Justice Center” on April 29, 2009. The State’s Attorney’s Office had a community prosecutions program several years ago, but it was eliminated due to Cook County budget cuts.  Alvarez pledged during her campaign for State’s Attorney to restore the program.

Assistant State’s Attorneys who prosecute criminal cases will be assigned to the Community Justice Center and they will work closely on the prosecution and prevention of local crime with police districts, community groups, schools, businesses and area residents.   Crime victims can utilize the resources of the center to access ongoing court information and to obtain the additional services of the State’s Attorney’s victim witness unit. 

In addition, the State’s Attorney’s Office will coordinate informational seminars and host community crime prevention meetings at the location on topics such as identity theft and mortgage fraud.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Alvarez has great interest in this topic and if she is elected State’s Attorney she will renew the fight against domestic violence by working to improve the services that the state’s attorney’s office provides to victims. She would implement specialized training for 911 operators responding to calls of domestic violence and become a public spokeswoman about the problem of domestic violence and forge partnerships with community-based advocacy groups.

NEW FOCUS ON SEX CRIMES

Alvarez would work to reorganize the Sex Crimes Unit within the State’s Attorney’s Office to expand its functions and place an enhanced focus on internet predators and mass molestation cases. She would also increase efforts to train medical professionals in dealing with victims of sexual assault.

IDENTITY THEFT