Election in order if Birkett steps down

Not everyone holds Joe Birkett's activity as DuPage County State's Attorney in high esteem. We've seen anti-war protestors harassed for over a year when Mr. Birkett knew he had no case. The witness didn't show up when the trial date arrived, and the judge couldn't throw the case out any quicker.

We've seen a growth in gang and drug activity in DuPage County while Joe Birkett fiddles and says, "It's all coming from Cook County." One can't be sure where the problem lies. Is it the Blue Wall of the police? Is it the village councils that don't want "bad publicity?" Is it the lawyers that make a lot of money prosecuting and defending drug dealers while allowing the users to take the fall? It's probably a little of all those, but that little grows into a major problem.

We've seen a high conviction rate, but most of the cases are meaningless - against those who could not afford a "Let's Make a Deal" lawyer to represent them.

Of course, there is the Nicarico case, the prosecution of Cruz and Hernandez, the harassment of Cruz upon his release, the DuPage Seven, and finally the Brian Dugan trial. Enough said.

The next election for DuPage County State's Attorney is over two years away. Birkett and the DuPage County Board should not be allowed to install a successor. That would give the appointed state's attorney two years to build his/her power base.

If Birkett steps down in October as currently speculated, there is more than enough time to have a special election rolled into the April 7th local elections. Is there any reason why DuPage voters shouldn't make the choice of a successor?

Bob Mueller

Westmont