Bryan Winter: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: WaukeganWebsite: http://www.WINTERforSA.comOffice sought: Lake State's AttorneyAge: 52Family: Married, one sonOccupation: Attorney, Partner with Fuqua, Winter Stiles, Ltd. Village Attorney for Villages of Gurnee and Kildeer Attorney for East Skokie Drainage DistrictEducation: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Marquette University, 1981 Juris Doctor of Law, Marquette University, 1984Civic involvement: President Lake County Bar Assn. (2008-2009) Treasurer of the Illinois State Bar Assn. (1992-1993) Fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation Interstate Rail Passenger Network Compact, 1992 member Patron of the Year Award Recipient 2004--Waukegan Park District Community Service Award Recipient--Waukegan Park District Past President Symphony Advisory Board for the Waukegan Orchestra and Concert Chorus Past President of the Waukegan Jaycees Past member of the Rotary International Member of Wauconda Lions ClubElected offices held: Republican Precinct Committeeman (2000-2010)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Gang Prevention Initiatives Gang activities are increasing and are not confined to particular areas or neighborhoods within the county. A regional approach is required with the State's Attorney and the Lake County Sherriff taking a lead role in efforts to combat gang related crimes. Prosecution efforts should continue to include utilization of civil forfeiture provisions taking property and other assets used in gang crimes in addition to criminal prosecution. Preventive programs are a necessary component which should include educational programs, parenting strategy programs and citizen safety programs.Key Issue 2 Formal Creation of a Conviction Integrity Panel A formal conviction integrity panel will be formed and assigned the responsibility of undertaking a fresh and ongoing review of cases where there is new evidence or where existing inconsistent evidence which prevents closure of an investigation of a crime. The panel would conduct its work pursuant to standards consistent with national best practices. The panel would be authorized to consult with retained experts outside of the office and other outside organizations to insure comprehensive and objective review.Key Issue 3 Expand cooperation between local law enforcement agencies Shrinking budgets at all levels of government have resulted in hiring freezes and force reductions in many police departments throughout the county. As the chief legal officer for the county, the State's Attorney is responsible for drafting the legal agreements proposed and adopted by the county. The State's Attorney must take the lead in the expansion and utilization of inter-governmental agreements such as the Major Crime Task Force Agreement.These agreements allow local police forces to share expertise and resources which cannot be obtained by each individual police department.These agreements also provide greater opportunity to disseminate and standardize law enforcement policies and techniques throughout the county.Questions Answers What do you plan to do to bolster public confidence in the operation of the prosecutor's office? What will you do to improve the handling of cases with a DNA element to them?One of my top goals would be to increase public access and awareness of office activities and procedures. Providing information at public forums and the State's Attorney website concerning the general procedures and protocols used to collect, preserve and analyze forensic evidence must be made available to the public. This information will provide the public with a better understanding of the efforts undertaken by the office to investigate and prosecute crimes. I will enhance office policies to expand the utilization of forensic advancements including analysis of DNA evidence. Forensic science and technology are valuable tools to law enforcement in their investigations so more cases will involve DNA evidence in the future.Office policies must provide for the testing of DNA evidence as early in the case as possible.Further, policies would incorporate the involvement of a newly formed Conviction Integrity Panel that I have also proposed to review cases which involve DNA evidence.Do you support reducing penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana? Why or why not?Determining the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana is a legislative decision. However, I would be opposed to 'reducing penalties' for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Through the criminal justice system there is the option to require drug education and mechanisms to enforce compliance with court ordered programs.Drug and substance abuse addition including alcohol, takes a terrible toll on families and their children. Penalties that provide for education and intervention help to deter and prevent these additions.What improvements in the use of technology by the state's attorney's office do you propose? Be specific.Expanding the uses and capabilities of case management software within the office is important. With approximately 140 employees, the office of the Lake County State's Attorney is essentially the largest law firm in Lake County.Throughout my 27 year legal career, I have extensive experience with time billing and case management technologies. I can bring private sector efficiencies and effective time management to this public office. The use of case and time management software will allow for the better utilization of existing personnel and resources. I would further support and expand the current initiatives to coordinate office activities and records with the Circuit Clerk, Court Administration, Sheriff and Probation departments to increase the efficient transmission of information. Finally, I would implement upgrades to the website to increase public access concerning office activities and procedures.How can the state's attorney's office best participate in the discussion of construction of new court facilities' Be specific.As the chief legal officer for the county, the State's Attorney will be providing legal advice and counsel to the County Board concerning the discussions pertaining to the financing and construction of new court facilities.As the Village Attorney of Gurnee, I have been directly involved in the drafting of development agreements, financing instruments and construction contracts for major construction projects. Therefore I would be able to utilize my experience in providing legal advice as to this project.Finally, the office of the State's Attorney, as the largest user of the court facility, would certainly participate, along with other court stakeholders, in the planning of the proposed court facilities.What improvements can be made in the efficiency of operations in the office in light of budget cutbacks' Be specific.I understand that the current budget levels will not significantly change in the coming years. I have participated in the budget hearing process at the municipal level which in recent years has required identifying core expenditures and opportunities to reduce costs. This process must be implemented with respect to the budget for the office of State's Attorney on an annual basis. Also, the use of 'Request for Proposals' and 'Requests for Qualifications' must be routinely requested from outside vendors to properly evaluate those costs.