Curran crosses party lines to endorse Lake Co. state's attorney

Adding to his growing reputation as a maverick, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran crossed party lines Wednesday and endorsed Republican incumbent Michael Waller for state's attorney.

But Curran, a first-term Democrat, didn't simply back Waller, who's seeking his fifth term as the county's top prosecutor. He also took a political hatchet to Waller's Democratic opponent, attorney and Gurnee village board member, Michael Jacobs.

During a news conference outside his old law office in Waukegan, Curran criticized Jacobs on professional and personal fronts. He said Jacobs has no leadership experience, has had an undistinguished career as an assistant state's attorney in Cook County and has had financial problems that included bankruptcy.

Curran also handed out court documents pertaining to Jacobs' bankruptcy and other financial matters.

Conversely, Curran called Waller "a proven professional (who) has given this county 35 exemplary years,"

Waller, who's been state's attorney since 1992 but worked in the office for years before then, said he was honored by Curran's endorsement.

"He always does what he believes is the right thing," Waller said.

Jacobs, who unsuccessfully challenged Waller in 2004, said the attacks on his professional and personal life were desperate acts on Waller's part.

"(Waller) knows there are issues out there that suggest times are changing, and he has to seek cross-party support to protect his time in office," Jacobs said.

Although Jacobs said Curran is free to endorse whoever he wants, he questioned whether the announcement somehow relates to Curran's wife, Irene, who leads the state's attorney's child support division.

"Some might say Mr. Waller butters a bit of Mr. Curran's bread," Jacobs said.

Curran rejected any connection between his wife's employment and the endorsement.

Curran ousted longtime Republican sheriff Gary Del Re in a hotly contested race two years ago. Waller backed Del Re in that contest, but Wednesday said Curran has done an outstanding job as sheriff.

Despite having never served as a police officer before his own election, Curran has built a strong reputation during his time in office.

He completed a grueling, 12-week police academy training program earlier this year, and last month he spent a week in the Lake County jail to experience the plight of the prisoners his staff oversees.

Curran also has been open about his Christian faith, saying his self-imposed jail sentence may have been divinely inspired.

Lake County GOP leader Dan Venturi applauded Curran for endorsing Waller.

"It's a big step to cross your party lines to do something like that," Venturi said. "They've been operating with mutual respect, and I think (Curran) recognizes that Mike Waller is not a party hack. He's a great state's attorney, regardless of party affiliation."

Curran admitted getting heat from his party's leaders after word of the pending endorsement spread.

"I received an unpleasant call or two," Curran said. "I will not prostitute or whore myself on behalf of any political candidate."

State Sen. Terry Link, leader of the county's Democratic organization, could not be reached for comment.

Curran said he would actively campaign for Waller between now and the Nov. 4 election.

He declined to say whether he thought his endorsement of Waller could hurt his own political career.

"It's one day at a time," Curran said. "I just want Mike to win."

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