Daily Herald, October 25, 2008

Our picks for Cook County offices

Daily Herald Editorial Board

For Cook County state's attorney, Anita Alvarez is the clear choice for her experience, understanding of the office and dedication to its mission.

Republican challenger Anthony Peraica, a Cook County Board member known for his outspoken criticism of the county administration, has tried to make a case that the state's attorney's office is incapacitated by internal politics and needs to focus more attention on rooting out government corruption. But such thinking shows a lack of appreciation for the functions of the office, which certainly has more than enough of a challenge keeping up with the violent crime that is its primary focus.

While it's naive to suggest that politics doesn't play a role in the nation's second-largest prosecutorial office, Alvarez, a Cook County prosecutor for 22 years, demonstrates the strength and independence to address the office's structural problems and shape it into an effective organization going forward. Attorney Thomas O'Brien also is seeking the position from the Green Party, but it's Alvarez who has the best personal and professional qualifications.