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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Congratulating The HONORABLE ANITA ALVAREZ,
Cook County State's Attorney
WHEREAS, Anita Alvarez made history in 2008 as the first female and first Latina elected to the position of Cook County State's Attorney; and
WHEREAS, Anita Alvarez was born and raised by working class parents in the Pilsen neighborhood, attended Maria High School, and received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago and her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Anita Alvarez has spent her entire legal career in public service in the State's Attorney's Office representing the victims of crime in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Anita Alvarez, prior to becoming State's Attorney, worked her way up through the ranks and eventually served as Chief Deputy State's Attorney, Chief of Staff to the State's Attorney, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau, Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Bureau, and Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit; and
WHEREAS, in her capacity as State's Attorney, Anita Alvarez leads the second largest prosecutor's office in the nation, supervising more than 1,600 employees whose primary responsibilities involve prosecuting violent crime an seeking justice on behalf of crime victims and their families; and
WHEREAS, under her leadership, the State's Attorney's Office has been the principal force in drafting and enacting many important public safety initiatives that have been signed into law; and
WHEREAS, Anita Alvarez authored the Illinois Safe Children Act and has formed specialized units within the State's Attorney's Office to enhance the prosecution of cases involving crimes such as mortgage fraud, consumer fraud, public corruption, and human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, Anita Alvarez is active in various bar associations and organizations and has served as president of the Chicago Bar Association and was a founding member of the National Hispanic Prosecutors Association and served as its national president.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County President and Board of Commissioners hereby honor Anita Alvarez as she receives the prestigious Justinian 2013 Award of Excellence.
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