Wise choice on state's attorney?

I'd like to talk about the impact the DuPage County Board had on reviving a dormant drug court, years ago. At the time, powers in the state's attorney's office didn't want a drug court to resume, but pressure from the board prevailed.

Because DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett's been promoted to a judgeship, a successor will have to be chosen by the county board. The state's attorney's office is the most powerful position in the county and choosing a successor shouldn't be taken lightly. I'm concerned about the inbreeding of ideas and procedure in that office and wouldn't want to see history repeat itself. We need to learn from past mistakes in the state's attorney's office and move forward with a fresh perspective and not the same ol' same ol'.

Years ago when I was appointed to a board subcommittee on drug court I got to meet Assistant State's Attorney Joe Ruggiero, who represented the state's attorney's office on the subcommittee. Ruggiero took an opposing view on the subcommittee and tried to stop my efforts of reviving the drug court from its dormancy. I'd like to point out that it's been reported that Ruggiero is on the shortlist for state's attorney candidates.

A good candidate for state's attorney would be someone without ties to this office. There are several county board members that I believe would make an excellent state's attorney. Hopefully, for the sake of county residents, the board will make a wise choice.

Paula McGowen

Glen Ellyn