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PROPOSED APPOINTMENT
Appointee(s): Sharone Mitchell, Jr.
Position: Cook County Public Defender
Department/Board/Commission: Office of the Cook County Public Defender
Effective date: 4/1/2021
Expiration date: 3/31/2027
Summary: Sharone Mitchell, Jr. is hereby appointed to serve as the Cook County Public Defender for a six-year term beginning 4/1/2021 and ending on 3/31/2027. Mr. Mitchell will assume the position of Public Defender upon approval by the Board of Commissioners and following the expiration of Ms. Amy Campanelli’s appointed term. Ms. Campanelli’s appointment expires March 31, 2021 and all of Cook County thanks her for her service.
Sharone Mitchell, Jr. is currently the Director of the Illinois Justice Project, a policy reform organization dedicated to supporting people, programs, and policies that can reduce inappropriate incarceration, improve community safety outcomes, reduce recidivism and increase justice in the legal system. Mr. Mitchell’s work has focused on adult justice specializing in pretrial issues, sentencing policy, and violence prevention. As the Director of the Illinois Justice Project, Mr. Mitchell is responsible for the overall direction of the organization, including creation, management and compliance with their operational budget, grant writing, supervision of employees, development of policy agenda, interfacing with their Board and the formulation of media strategy. Prior to joining the Illinois Justice Project, Mr. Mitchell worked as a Cook County Public Defender. His responsibilities at the Public Defender’s Office included the handling of complex felonies, ranging from serious Class X felonies to simple misdemeanors, including trying numerous bench and jury trials in the Criminal Division and handling child unification cases involving the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office in the Civil Division. Mr. Mitchell has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned his law degree from DePaul University College of Law.
Mr. Mitchell satisfies all of the qualifications for the position of Public Defender as set forth in the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/3-4004.2). This appointment is recommended for your approval.
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