Seven seeking to replace DuPage state's attorney

Seven candidates are seeking appointment to replace outgoing DuPage State's Attorney Joe Birkett, including several members of his staff.

County board Chairman-elect Dan Cronin is hoping to pick Birkett's successor on the same day Dec. 13 Birkett is to be sworn in to become an appellate judge.

Joseph Ruggiero, one of Birkett's top lieutenants who heads the office's special prosecutions division, had been the rumored front-runner to replace his boss. But Cronin stressed Tuesday that the selection process will be “wide open” and nothing has been decided.

“There's seven worthy candidates for our consideration,” Cronin said.

Other prosecutors in Birkett's office who have expressed interest are First Assistant Nancy Wolfe and Bob Berlin, who is chief of the criminal bureau.

The other candidates seeking to replace Birkett are DuPage Circuit Judge Daniel Guerin, state Rep. Dennis Reboletti and county board members Pat O'Shea and John Curran.

Earlier this month, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Birkett to a spot on the appellate court. While Cronin has the authority to pick a new state's attorney, the county board has to approve his choice.

Cronin said he notified county board members about who applied “to open up the process and start the deliberations” before the nomination is made.

“I am reaching out,” Cronin said. “I'm trying to do this as openly and transparently as we can. Ultimately, it is my decision to make the nomination. I take that responsibility very seriously.”

Cronin said he is looking for “an experienced prosecutor, a tough law-and-order person” who has the trust and confidence of the law enforcement community.

“We've got to get this right,” he said. “There's no room for politics. There's no room for on-the-job training.”

O'Shea, a 60-year-old lawyer from Lombard who has been on the county board since 1990, touted his three decades of experience practicing law in civil and criminal courtrooms.

“I have the experience both in the civil end, which is badly needed in that office, and the criminal end,” O'Shea said. “I do that (criminal law) every day. I've done it throughout the United States. I've had some federal cases as well as state cases.”

Curran, a former Woodridge village trustee who has elected to the county board in 2008, said the state's attorney opening is an opportunity to serve DuPage residents in a role that he's “very well qualified” to fill. The 37-year-old assistant Cook County prosecutor is chief of that office's special litigation division.

Reboletti, who last month was re-elected to his seat as state representative for the 46th District, said he would bring an “outsider's perspective” to the post.

“These opportunities don't come very often,” the 42-year-old Elmhurst resident said. “It's something that I thought about in the past and would be ready, willing and able to serve.”

With 30 years of legal experience, Wolfe said her resume speaks for itself.

“I'm certainly honored that I'm considered to be a qualified candidate,” she said. “I certainly am willing to serve and would be honored to serve.”

Cronin said a special meeting may need to be held Dec. 13 so the board can vote on who will lead the state's attorney's office for the remainder of Birkett's term. That's the same day Birkett will be sworn in as justice for the Second District Illinois Appellate Court

The chief judge will pick an interim state's attorney if the county board is unable to agree on Birkett's successor on Dec. 13.

“If we want to wait and allow the chief judge to make an interim appointment, we can wait,” Cronin said. “But I think the sooner we address it, the better. We have a responsibility. Let's step up to the plate and fulfill our responsibility.”

Berlin and Ruggiero declined to comment. Guerin could not be reached for comment.

Ÿ Daily Herald Staff Writer Josh Stockinger contributed to this report.