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photo by steed media service
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Democratic Candidate for State’s Attorney, Cook County
What are your professional qualifications?
I’ve been involved in the criminal justice system off and on for about
30 years. I have the experience, intellect, maturity and, here in this
town, the political independence to do a job fairly. I’m a former
assistant state’s attorney of Cook County. I was supervisor of the Gang
Prosecution Unit. I’m a former FBI agent. Over the past 10 years, I’ve
been a criminal defense lawyer. Every day I see the best and worst of
this system and the changes that need to be made.
Tell us about your background.
My mother and father are both deceased. My father had a fifth grade
education; my mother had a sixth grade education. I grew up in public
housing in Chicago’s South Side. I lived in public housing until I
graduated [from] law school. I’m divorced with four children ages 17 to
27.
What changes need to be made in your district?
In the
city of Chicago, there is a tremendous rift between the community and
the Chicago police departments — and the various departments, I must
say. Here, people turn to the mayor to resolve these conflicts, when
really, the state’s attorney has tremendous power. As we all know, as
it’s been highlighted by the Jena Six, the state attorney really
decides what constitutes justice within the criminal justice system.
The prosecutor of Jena supposedly made the statement, ‘With the stroke
of my pen, I can change your life.’ Which is true. You need somebody
with balance. – adam jones
