No. 2 at U.S. attorney's office in Chicago named

A prosecutor-turned-private attorney has returned to the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago to take its No. 2 job.

Joel Levin served for 28 years as a federal prosecutor in California, Wisconsin and Illinois. In Chicago, he helped prosecute former Illinois Gov. George Ryan for corruption. He entered private practice in 2008.

Another Ryan prosecutor is Chicago's current U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon. Fardon announced the 60-year-old Levin's appointment as first assistant U.S. attorney Monday.

In a statement, Levin cited several priorities as he assumes the post, including national security, stemming street-level violence and fighting public corruption.

Levin succeeds Gary Shapiro, who is retiring. The 68-year-old held the first assistant post for nearly 17 years. Shapiro also served as interim U.S. attorney between Fardon's appointment and former U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's departure.