. President - Anita M. Alvarez Chief Deputy State's Attorney, is a career prosecutor and a life-long Chicagoan who was born and raised in the Pilsen neighborhood. She received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago and she earned her Law Degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Ms. Alvarez began her career in the State's Attorney's Office in 1986 and has steadily worked her way up through the ranks, handling hundreds of felony cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, armed robbery, criminal sexual assaults and domestic violence. She has argued before the Illinois Appellate Court and tried more than 50 felony jury trials. Prior to attaining her present position of Chief Deputy, the third ranking post in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, she served as the Chief of Staff to the Cook County State's Attorney; Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau; Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Bureau, and Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit. She also spent 3 ½ years in the Gang Crimes Unit where she prosecuted gang-related homicides.
Ms. Alvarez was promoted to the Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit in 1996, where she was responsible for prosecuting city, county, and state employees who committed felonies and violated the public trust. She personally tried police officers on corruption charges. In 1999, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Bureau where she supervised the prosecution of drug cases as well as long-term narcotics investigations in conjunction with Chicago and suburban police departments.
She became the Chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau in 2001. The Bureau consists of the Arson Unit, Organized Crime/Cold Case Unit, Auto Theft Unit, Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit, Gang Crimes Unit, and the Professional Standards Unit.
Also in 2001, Ms. Alvarez tried the case of the People of the State of Illinois v. Patrick Sykes, which was commonly referred to in widespread media as the "Girl X Case". Her successful prosecution of Sykes resulted in his conviction for the predatory criminal sexual assault of a 9- year-old-girl who was left paralyzed, blind, without speech and confined to a wheelchair after the brutal attack in the Cabrini Green housing project. Her tireless work and dedication ensured that, despite the victim's daunting physical challenges, she was able to come to court and fearlessly face her attacker.
She is active in various bar associations and organizations. She was a founding member of the National Hispanic Prosecutors Association and served as its National President. She was chosen as a fellow in the 2004 class of Leadership Greater Chicago and served on their board from 2004 - 2006. Additionally, Ms. Alvarez serves on the Board of Trustees for Fenwick High School and is on the Board of Directors for Maria High School, her alma mater.
She has been honored by various groups and organizations throughout her career. In 2001 Chicago Lawyer Magazine named her Person of the Year. That same year, she was honored for her work in the Girl X case by the Council for Disability Rights for precedent setting advocacy. In 2002 she was the recipient of the Professional Achievement Award from Chicago-Kent College of Law. In 2005 she was named Person of the Year by the Latin American Police Association and also named States Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission. Ms. Alvarez is a frequent speaker and lecturer to many organizations and from 2002 to 2005 was an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School.
On February 5, 2008, Ms. Alvarez defeated five opponents in a hotly contested Democratic primary for the office of State's Attorney. She is currently running for general election in November. .