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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ERIC F. RINEHART
STATE'S ATTORNEY
Sept. 21, 2021
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Newton
(224) 374-2376
jnewton@lakecountyil.gov
State's Attorney Eric Rinehart engages a sizeable crowd attending the State's Attorney's Office Town Hall to honor National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.
Lake County State's Attorney's Office Celebrates Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month Monday With Outdoor Town Hall Event
(Lake County, IL) - On Monday evening, over 75 people attended a town hall meeting held by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office in honor of National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.
The event, titled “Connecting with Community,” was an opportunity for the Hispanic and Latino community of Lake County to learn more about what the State’s Attorney’s Office does and how to connect with other community service agencies.
“In seeking justice for every victim and in protecting the community, our office will always be aware that we must work hard to treat everyone equally regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, preferred language, or place of birth,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart told the crowd.
“For that reason, our office employs bilingual attorneys and counselors and has access to interpreters of all languages,” he said.
Since taking office, State’s Attorney Rinehart has emphasized increasing office diversity and intentional outreach into under-represented communities. Rinehart has tripled the number of attorneys who speak Spanish and doubled the number of bilingual victim witness counselors. These changes are designed to ensure that all residents have access to representation and services.
One such hire, Chief of Victim Services Jacqueline Herrera Giron, encouraged residents to feel comfortable in calling the State’s Attorney’s Office and law enforcement whenever a crime occurs.
State’s Attorney Rinehart and Chief Herrera Giron explained how crimes arrive at the State’s Attorney’s Office and how the process evolves. Residents were also able to ask questions during a Q&A portion of the program. Translation services were afforded to all those in attendance.
State's Attorney's Office Chief of Victim Services and Outreach Jacqueline Herrera Giron speaks at Monday evening's event.
The event also featured a video, produced by Hilario Donoe, highlighting some details about the State’s Attorney’s office and a short clip from State’s Attorney Rinehart outlining his goals and vision for the office.
Community partners included United Giving Hope, Coalición Latinos de Lake County, HACES, Waukegan School District #60, F.A.C.E, Catholic Charities, A Safe Place, Waukegan Park District, Chicago Workers Collaborative, Puro Futbol News, and Union Latina WKRS 1220 AM. Most of these organizations had resource tables providing materials to interested residents.
The event was hosted at the Waukegan District #60 building and the crowd was welcomed by Superintendent Theresa Plascencia. Jose Rodriguez from Union Latina WKRS 1220 AM acted as the evening’s master of ceremonies.
At the close of the event singer, Maribel Garcia, who sang the Star-Spangled Banner earlier in the program, had the audience on their feet dancing and clapping along to a festive tune called, ¡Viva Mexico, Viva America!
State’s Attorney Rinehart indicated after the event that he will continue holding more town hall events reaching out to Lake County’s diverse communities.
Community residents and local officials listen to Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart at the State's Attorney's Office Town Hall to honor National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.
Lake County State's Attorney's Office
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-3000
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