What's New —

Chicago Tribune Endorses
     Anita
Daily Herald Picks Anita
Anita Endorsed by Chicago
     Sun-Times
Senator Durbin Endorses Anita
Anita Named One of Crain's
     Women to Watch

Home arrow News arrow ALVAREZ FILES SIGNATURES
PDF Print E-mail

ANITA ALVAREZ FILES SIGNATURES FOR STATE’S ATTORNEY BID

October 29, 2007

(CHICAGO) — On the first day for candidates to file the necessary paperwork for next February’s election, Anita Alvarez today turned in approximately 15,000 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot in her race for State’s Attorney, saying that she can’t wait to begin campaigning for the top job in the office where she has spent more than two decades.

“I’m ready to make the case for why we need steady leadership for positive change, and I am encouraged by the overwhelming support my campaign has been receiving.” Alvarez said.

Today is the first day candidates can file. The deadline is November 5. Candidates must file about 5,517 valid signatures of registered voters to qualify for the ballot. Alvarez exceeded that number by over 9,000 signatures.

Alvarez, whose successful prosecution of the ‘Girl X Case’ won her widespread praise for putting a child predator behind bars while setting legal precedents to help keep all children safer, oversees the day-to-day operations of more than 900 assistant state’s attorneys in eight different divisions handling felony prosecutions and civil actions. Starting her career in the State’s Attorney’s Office in 1986, Alvarez has served as supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit, Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Prosecutions Bureau, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau, and presently serves as the Chief Deputy State’s Attorney of Cook County.

A native of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Alvarez graduated from Maria High School, earned her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago, and received her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Active in the community and various law associations, she is a founding member of the National Hispanic Prosecutors Association and has served as its national president. She was chosen as a fellow in Leadership Greater Chicago’s 2004 class and served on the group’s board from 2004 to 2006. Alvarez was named Person of the Year by Chicago Lawyer Magazine in 2001 and recognized that year by the Council for Disability Rights for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. She won a 2002 Professional Achievement Award from her alma mater, Chicago-Kent College of Law, and has been named Person of the Year by the Latin American Police Association and States Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission, both in 2005. Alvarez currently serves as Second Vice President of the Chicago Bar Association and is slated to become its president in 2009. She is married to Dr. James Gomez and is the proud mother of four children. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Contact: Sally Daly, 708-284-0111, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it