Lou has improved office's standing

State's Attorney Lou Bianchi and his staff have done a terrific job for the citizens of McHenry County. His opponent talks about the loss of institutional knowledge and experience because of turnover. Well, current assistant attorneys have won the Peace and Justice award from Turning Point for the aggressive prosecution of domestic violence. One assistant won the 2007 Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, for her aggressive prosecution of drunk drivers. Two felony assistants are on the Appellate Prosecutors teaching faculty, instructing other prosecutors throughout the state on trial techniques and how to be successful in court.

And finally, eight of the lawyers in the county are capital litigation certified to try murder cases, six are assistant attorneys in the State's Attorney's Office. The challenger's assessment is inaccurate, unsubstantiated, and false. The current state's attorney's staff has more institutional knowledge and trial experience than any previous administrations.

I have spoken with several assistants in the State's Attorney's Office who said that on a daily basis since Bianchi took office in 2004, the majority of police officers tell them they are happy with the service and attention they receive from the attorneys and the secretaries at the State's Attorneys Office. Additionally, Bianchi's staff has conducted over 30 seminars for police officers and attended numerous roll call trainings. It is not the duty of the state's attorney to train police officers, but to enhance the successful prosecution and conviction of criminals and to communicate recent developments in court. Lou Bianchi initiated these training sessions

The state's attorneys office has worked well to keep our communities safe.

Eileen Marhoefer

Crystal Lake