Team,
I want to thank those of you who joined our all-staff call on Monday. I appreciated the opportunity to speak to the office collectively and to take your questions. Please click here to watch the call if you missed it.
Below are the major takeaways from the staff call:
-
Enhanced recruiting initiatives: Our office is short-staffed like other prosecutorial offices across the country. However, I’m encouraged because the SAO remains one of the premier employment opportunity for aspiring prosecutors. We are filling vacancies faster than departures and we currently have 15 lateral hires in the pipeline. We will also be onboarding roughly 50 new bar takers this summer.
-
Welcoming new leadership: I am excited to welcome the new bureau leaders. Ethan Holland has started as Chief of the Criminal Prosecution Bureau and Christopher “Thor” Martin has started as Deputy Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau. A big thank you to former Bureau Chief John Brassil, who recently retired, and Renee Thibault for stepping in as Interim Bureau Chief.
-
Rolling out a flexible, permanent telecommuting policy: A new telecommuting policy will be released in the coming weeks that will be fully implemented after Labor Day. I believe the telecommuting policy will strengthen our organization and help us better retain staff and attract new talent. Meanwhile, please continue to consult with your immediate supervisor regarding your in-person work requirements.
Thank you again for your work and remember to take care of yourself.
Kim
|
Do you have any news to share about awards, recognitions, SAO events, criminal justice-related stories, or other personal news? Send them to us here.
Spotlight “Discovery” Question
Today’s Question:
What is your go-to emoji or GIF?
Unfortunately, no one responded to this question. If you have one, please feel free to send for the next Spotlight.
For the Next Spotlight:
Summer will come eventually, even if the current weather suggests otherwise.
Have a favorite summer activity you are looking forward to?
Send your answers here.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Announcing the Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Awards Ceremony Honorees
The SAO is proud to announce that Judge Sanju Oommen Green (former ASA) and Grace Chan McKibbon, Executive Director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, have been chosen as the honorees for the 2022 Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony will take place virtually on Thursday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. and will be moderated by Vi Nguyen of NBC 5.
Click here to register.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Celebrating Religious and Cultural Diversity During April
April serves as a celebratory month for people of diverse faith backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Sikhs. In celebration of this special month, the Middle Eastern and North African Employee Resource Group held a panel discussion where staff of different faiths shared their cultures and religious festivities.
Special thanks to panelists Naheda Zayyad, Andrew Yassan, Elliott Englander, Cory Cassis, James Konstantopoulos, and Nazia Hasan for sharing more about their rich backgrounds.
Below is a list of the celebrations observed by office staff during April 2022:
Ramadan (Islam): Commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammed (April 2 to May 2).
Rama Navami (Hinduism): Celebrates the birth of Lord Ram to King Dasharath and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya in Treta Yuga (April 10).
Palm Sunday (Christianity): Celebrates Jesus’ return to Jerusalem (April 10).
Holy Thursday (Christianity): Commemorates the Last Supper (April 14).
Vaisakhi (Sikhism): Marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth of warriors (April 14).
Good Friday (Christianity): Honors Jesus’ crucifixion (April 15).
Passover (Judaism): Celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt (April 15).
Easter (Christianity): Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection (April 17 or April 24 for Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Laylat Al-Qadr (Islam): Celebrates the night that the first verses of Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (April 29).
Packing Care Packages for the Needy
On Sunday, April 17 the Middle Eastern and North African Employee Resource Group volunteered to create care packages for the needy as a part of Islamic Relief USA National Volunteer Week. The collective group packaged an astounding 6,000 bags of food that will feed an estimated 32,000 people.
Thought Leadership
Schools and Police Ticketing Students for Minor Misbehavior
 The Chicago Tribune and ProPublica investigated the practice of ticketing students for in-school adolescent behavior. While schools cannot legally fine students, many schools are referring students, some as young as eight, to the police for ticketing.
In all, the investigation documented more than 11,800 tickets issued during the last three school years.
Check this database to see what tickets have been issued in your school district.
A University of Chicago Study Raises Questions Over Juveniles and Chicago’s Carjacking Surge
A study from the University of Chicago Justice Project examined Chicago Police Department data and concluded that there is not enough evidence to suggest that the increase in carjackings is driven by young people looking to joyride. This is since only 15% of 2020 carjackings led to an arrest and less than 10% of cars were recovered.
An alternate explanation is that the carjacking surge was brought on by the increased value of used cars and parts during COVID-19.
Staff Highlights
Clearing the Remaining Sgt. Watts Petitions
Judge Erica Reddick allowed the State’s Attorney’s Office move to vacate the convictions and sentences and dismiss the cases of an additional 44 convictions tied to former Chicago Police Sergeant Ronald Watts. This included the case of Herbert Anderson (speaking below).
The office has now vacated over 200 Watts-related convictions, representing over 440 years in the Illinois Department of Correction. The office has now cleared the remaining Watts petitions.
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, Illinois has led the nation in criminal exonerations for each of the past four years, largely in part due to the number of vacated Watts cases.
Thanks to Nancy Adduci, Kirsten Olson, and the Conviction Integrity Unit and Carol Rogala, Crista Bowden, Catherine Malloy and the Special Investigation Unit for all their hard work!
 Credit: Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Surpassing 15,000 Cannabis Expungements
On April 20, the office announced that it would present over 200 additional cannabis cases for automatic expungement, bringing the total number of cannabis expungements to 15,191 expungements since recreational marijuana became legal in 2020.
Individuals whose convictions are expunged receive a notice from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County saying their record has been cleared and that they do not have to take any action.
State’s Attorney Foxx spearheaded the expungements once recreational marijuana became legal in 2020 as a necessary measure to build trust in the communities most impacted by the war on drugs.
Thanks to Lisa Li and Kevin Deboni for all their work on this.
|
Speaking at the Lansing Citizen’s Police Academy
The Lansing Police Department invited Rachel Mabbott (left), to speak at the Lansing Citizen Police Academy on April 20, about the criminal justice system and the role of the State’s Attorney’s Office.
The students were engaged and asked many questions about the role the SAO plays in the criminal justice system.
|
Standing with Sexual Assault Victims and Survivors on Denim Day
Employees across the office wore denim last Wednesday on Denim Day as a visible sign of protest against sexual violence.
Denim Day originated from a 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction. The chief justice argued that the victim implied consent by wearing tight jeans, meaning she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans.
Below are employees who participated.
|
Civil Action Bureau
Bridgeview
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Division (26th St)
Domestic Violence Division
Traffic Unit
Special Prosecutions Bureau
Serving as a Resource for Small Business Owners
Christine Washkevich (photo below), represented the Community Justice Centers at the Uptown Small Business Resource Fair at Truman College. The fair was an opportunity for any entrepreneur or small business owner to connect with groups that can help provide business planning, financing, social services, and more.
State’s Attorney Foxx Highlights
Overviewing Data at the 3rd Ward Public Safety Meeting
 State’s Attorney Foxx had the opportunity last week to speak at Alderman Pat Dowell’s Public Safety Town Hall where she answered questions about the monthly community data memos the office sends to elected officials.
For example, during March 2022 the SAO’s approval rates for fully reviewed cases in the 3rd ward were:
- Unlawful use of a weapon (78%)
- Possession of a stolen motor vehicle (100%)
- Residential Burglary (100%)
- Homicide (100%)
The State’s Attorney spoke to how having open transparent data is important to make decisions and craft policies that keep communities safe and increase trust in law enforcement.
Learn more about the SAO’s open data portal by clicking here.
Progressive Prosecuting Podcast
The City Arts and Lectures podcast invited the State’s Attorney Foxx, along with San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin (below left), to discuss progressive prosecutions. The State’s Attorney and District Attorney covered crime rates, the relationship between prosecutors and other justice system stakeholders, and their personal life stories.
State’s Attorney Foxx emphasized that the SAO is a part of an ecosystem that seeks justice and the importance of each member doing their part to drive crime down while building trust with the community they serve.
Listen to the full interview here.
Recent Social Media Posts
Honoring National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 24 to 30) the office ran a social media campaign in English and Spanish to honor victims of crime, raise awareness, and thank those who advocate on their behalf.
 Click here to view and click here to share.
Supporting Denim Day
The office also posted for Denim Day on Wednesday, April 27.
Click here to view and click here to share.
New Internal Job Postings
Click here to see all SAO open positions.
Tech Tips
Include Phone Numbers on Cherwell Tickets!
 |
|
When submitting a Cherwell ticket, make sure to include the phone number where MIS staff can best reach you.
It will allow issues to be resolved much faster!
|
Staff News
Honors
The Filipino American Lawyers Association had an inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, April 20. During the ceremony Melanie Matias was sworn in as President by Associate Judge (and former ASA) Jasmine Hernandez. Aileen Bhandari was sworn in to the Board of Directors by Judge Lopez (retired).
Retirements
Congratulations to the below employees who recently retired:
Laura Leahy - 12 years.
Katherine McKay - 15 years.
Thank you for your service and best of luck!
Promotions
Thor Martin to Deputy Chief (Special Prosecutions Bureau).
Thomas Dardin to Supervisor (Complex Homicide and Gang Unit).
Patrick Turnock to Deputy Supervisor (Traffic).
William Kappel to Sergeant (Investigations Bureau).
New Hires
Welcome to all the new hires who started on Monday, April 25: Jennifer Banowski, Karydith Morales- Bucy, Neena Scaria, Felicia Simmons-Stovall, Michael Vojta, Ronald Jasica
Work Anniversaries
May 4: Patrick O’Donovan, Evelyn Tilapa-Figueroa, and Maricela Rodriguez
May 5: Joseph Murphy, Gilberto Izaguirre, Jr., Alberto Camacho, Detrice Carroll, and Anthony Panosh
May 6: Kirsten Olson and Jill Thornton
May 7: William Ragen
May 8: Tracy Senica and Laura Martinez
May 10: Saharah Bobo, Melinda Evelyn, Beatriz Olguin-Flores, Dirk Remily, Catherine Gregorovic, and Mary Innes
May 11: Mia Buntic and Cearmease Evans
May 12: Robert Maloney
May 13: Amanda Bielinski, Aline Dias, Danielle Levin, Leilani Pino, Zachary Slavens, Retha Stotts, Emily Welter, Jeffrey Allen, and Margaret Smith
May 14: Donald Corcoran, Richard Peck Jr, Joseph Dibella, Jennifer Keating, Sarah Kooperman, Robert Mack, Glendon Runk, and Luz Toledo
May 15: Efren Velazquez and Sylvia Vieyra
May 16: Martin Trujillo, Brenda Thomas, Phyllis Cardenas, and Marla Clamage
May 17: Christopher Martin, Tsetan Lungkara, Lobsang Wangdak, and Andrea Lodermeier
May 18: Macarre Ward
Internal SAO Resources
Join an Employee Resource Group
Interested in joining one of the SAO’s employee resource groups? All are welcome to participate. Click here to fill out the digital ERG signup form or contact the group leaders below.
Immigration Services
Have a question about immigration? Feel free to contact Immigration Policy & Legal Advisor Michael Kasprzynski who is available to answer questions relating to collateral immigration consequences and victim services. More information about SAO immigration services can be found on the SAO website.
SAO Speaker’s Bureau
Did you know the SAO has a Speaker’s Bureau? If you know of a school, religious institution, community group, or organization that needs an overview, the SAO can provide a speaker to the group.
Speakers can speak to the below topics:
-
Youth Programs: Choose Not to Lose (Gang Awareness/Prevention), Conflict Resolution, Cyber Safety/Teen Dating Violence, Gang/Drug Awareness/Prevention, Hate Crimes, Identity Theft/ Consumer Fraud, Law for Life and Youth Empowerment
-
Adult Programs: Consumer Fraud, Crimes Against Seniors, Cyber Safety for Parents, Domestic Violence, Identity Theft, Hate Crimes, Mortgage Fraud/ Troubled Buildings and Senior Safety
Please have any interested person or group submit the attached request form to Christine Chan.
If you have been asked to speak at an event, please reach out to Christine who can also make sure you have the resources you need.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Overhaul
Recently, the Department of Education announced a major overhaul to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For those enrolled, please read the U.S. Department of Education fact sheet to learn more.
Suggestion Box
The anonymous suggestion box is open. Please share any comments, questions, or suggestions with the SAO executive team.
Ethics Questions
Have an ethics question? Please email Meriel Coleman for assistance. Attorneys can also call the ARDC Ethics Inquiry Hotline between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 312-565-2600 or 800-826-8625.
Counseling
Please don’t forget that free counseling is available through the Cook County Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Call 800-327-7451 (TTY 711) to speak to someone confidentially.
Equal Employment Officer
Anyone experiencing or witnessing unlawful harassment, discrimination, or workplace bullying should email Donyelle Gray or call her at 312-603-3645. A copy of the SAO EEO Policy and an EEO Complaint Form can be found on the EEO Officer’s page on the SAO website.
Have any news to share about awards, recognitions, SAO events, criminal justice-related stories, or other personal news? Send the information by clicking here.
|
