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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM
STATE'S ATTORNEY
December 02, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
(847) 377-3188 Desk Phone
(847) 309-6065 Cell Phone
cvargas@lakecountyil.gov
 State's Attorney Mike Nerheim sworn in for second term to continue to serve the people of Lake County.
(Lake County, IL December 02, 2016) Lake County State's Attorney, Michael G. Nerheim was sworn in at the Lake County Courthouse by Justice Mary Seminara-Schostok.
"I am extremely proud of the staff in our office.
To a person, they are extremely passionate and dedicated our mission-to seek
justice," said Nerheim. "I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to continue to
serve and to represent the People of Lake County, and look forward to
accomplishing even more in these next four years," he added.
Mr. Nerheim will serve his second term as the Lake County State's Attorney. As State’s Attorney, he oversees an office of 140 attorneys, investigators, victim coordinators, paralegals, and support staff, plus two certified comfort dogs and a corps of volunteers.
Upon assuming office in December 2012 State’s Attorney Nerheim worked to make the office more efficient, effective, and transparent. He is focused on preventing wrongful convictions, working with law enforcement to address the huge surge in gangs and gang violence in our community, and restoring the public’s trust in the office. He developed a countywide opioid prevention strategy and co-founded the Lake County Opioid Initiative.
State’s Attorney Nerheim created a first-of-its-kind Case Review Panel consisting of volunteer legal professionals, some from outside of Lake County, who bring a wide range of experience. As an independent review board, the panel’s duty is to focus on the issue of wrongful convictions. When the panel receives claims that evidence exists to support actual innocence, they review and investigate the veracity of the claimed evidence. An in-house Conviction Integrity Unit, made up of senior-level staff, supplements the Independent Case Review Panel. Additionally, he created a Citizens Advisory Board comprised of a diverse group of community leaders who engage the public on key issues related to crime, public safety, and restoring trust in the criminal justice system.
In summary, some of Nerheim's accomplishments include:
- Restructuring the Lake County State's Attorney's Office into specialized divisions
- Developed a Conviction Review Panel
- Developed a Citizens Advisory Panel
- Cofounded the Lake County Opioid Initiative
- Acquired facility dogs Mitch and Hitch
- Developed the Alternative Prosecution Program
- Launched the 'A Way Out' Program
- Worked on facilitating the access of Text-A-Tip Countywide
In addition, Nerheim has been recognized for his efforts. Recently, Nerheim was awarded the 2016 Whitney M. Young Jr. award on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America. He was named the 2015 Justinian of the Year by the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, 2014 State’s Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission and 2013 Person of the Year by the United Hellenic Voters of America. He was awarded the 2015 Executive Director’s Award from the Lake County Juvenile Officer’s Association, the 2014 Frederic Milton Thrasher Award from the National Gang Crime Research Center for outstanding leadership in prosecution, and the 2014 Moxie Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) for supporting sexual assault victims and justice through the criminal justice system. Mike was recognized with the 2014 Community Leadership Award from the Overdose Awareness Day Planning Committee and the 2013 Home for the Holidays Award from Waukegan Township for his dedicated service and commitment to the Eddie Washington Center and Staben House.
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