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Anita Alvarez is a career prosecutor and a life-long
Chicagoan who was born and raised in the Pilsen neighborhood. She
received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago and
she earned her Law Degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Anita
presently holds the rank of Chief Deputy State's Attorney, the third
ranking post in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Anita began her career in the State’s Attorney’s Office in 1986
and has steadily worked her way up through the ranks, handling hundreds
of felony cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, armed robbery,
criminal sexual assaults and domestic violence. She has argued before
the Illinois Appellate Court and tried more than 50 felony jury trials.
Prior to attaining her present position of Chief Deputy, Anita served as
the Chief of Staff to the Cook County State's Attorney; Chief of the
Special Prosecutions Bureau; Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Bureau, and
Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit. She also spent 3 ½ years in
the Gang Crimes Unit where she prosecuted gang-related homicides.
Anita was promoted to the Supervisor of
the Public Integrity Unit in 1996, where she was responsible for
prosecuting city, county, and state employees who committed felonies and
violated the public trust. She personally tried police officers on
corruption charges. In 1999, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of the
Narcotics Bureau where she supervised the prosecution of drug cases as
well as long term narcotics investigations in conjunction with Chicago
and suburban police departments.
Anita became the Chief of the Special
Prosecutions Bureau in 2001. The Bureau consists of the Arson Unit,
Organized Crime/Cold Case Unit, Auto Theft Unit, Public Corruption and
Financial Crimes Unit, Gang Crimes Unit, and the Professional Standards
Unit.
Also in 2001, Anita tried the case of the
People of the State of Illinois v. Patrick Sykes which was commonly
referred to in widespread media as the “Girl X Case”. Her successful
prosecution of Sykes resulted in his conviction for the predatory
criminal sexual assault of a 9- year-old-girl who was left paralyzed,
blind, without speech and confined to a wheelchair after the brutal
attack in the Cabrini Green housing project. Anita's tireless work and
dedication ensured that, despite the victim's daunting physical
challenges, she was able to come to court and fearlessly face her
attacker.
Anita is active in various bar
associations and organizations. Presently, she is the Second Vice
President of the Chicago Bar Association and in 2009 she will become its
President. She was also a founding member of the National Hispanic
Prosecutors Association and served as its National President. Anita was
chosen as a fellow in the 2004 class of Leadership Greater Chicago and
served on their board from 2004 – 2006. Additionally, she serves on
the Board of Trustees for Fenwick High School and is on the Board of
Directors for Maria High School, her alma mater.
Anita has been honored by various groups
and organizations throughout her career. In 2001 she was named Person of
the Year by Chicago Lawyer Magazine. That same year, she was honored for
her work in the Girl X case by the Council for Disability Rights for
precedent setting advocacy. In 2002 she was the recipient of the
Professional Achievement Award from Chicago-Kent College of Law. In 2005
Anita was named Person of the Year by the Latin American Police
Association and also named States Attorney of the Year by the Illinois
State Crime Commission.Anita is a frequent speaker and lecturer to many
organizations and from 2002 to 2005 was an adjunct professor at John
Marshall Law School.
After serving with distinction for more
than 21 years, Anita entered the race for Cook County State’s Attorney
in August of 2007 in what would be the first open primary election for
the office in more than 50 years. Anita scored a dramatic upset in Cook
County politics when she defeated five opponents in a hotly contested
Democratic primary on Feb. 5. She will face a Republican challenger in
the general election in November.
Anita is married to Dr. James Gomez and
she and her husband are the proud parents of four children.
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