New DuPage state's attorney pledges to 'seek justice'

Saying the DuPage state's attorney's office will continue to protect the public and defend the rights of victims, veteran prosecutor Robert Berlin Tuesday became the top law enforcement official in the county.

Berlin was sworn in as state's attorney after a 17-0 vote by the county board. He was appointed by Chairman Dan Cronin to finish the term of former State's Attorney Joe Birkett, who is now an appellate court justice.

“I am very much looking forward to the challenge,” said Berlin, a 48-year-old Clarendon Hills resident. “There is a long-standing history in the state's attorney's office of professionalism and excellence. I will do my best to maintain that tradition.”

Under his leadership for the next two years, Berlin said the state's attorney's office will continue doing its part to keep DuPage communities safe “by prosecuting criminals who threaten our security and our way of life.”

“Our goal, however, will not be to seek convictions, but to seek justice,” Berlin said.

Berlin, a 23-year career assistant state's attorney who prosecuted crimes in Cook, Kane and DuPage, was one of seven candidates who sought the coveted appointment to replace Birkett.

Cronin said he nominated Berlin because he's a “capable, proven criminal prosecutor” with an “unmatched” level of experience.

A former assistant state's attorney in Kane and Cook counties, Berlin has tried dozens of murder cases, including six involving the death penalty. He came to DuPage in November 2004.

Since April, Berlin has been serving as chief of the DuPage office's criminal bureau. In that role, Berlin supervised and managed about 70 assistant state's attorneys while still being assigned to a number of felony cases.

“He doesn't need on-the-job training,” Cronin said. “He will be ready to go to prosecute the 11 murder trials that we have before the office right now.”

One of the DuPage prosecutors who expressed interest in the state's attorney position said she looks forward to working with Berlin.

“He's an excellent, hardworking guy,” First Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Wolfe said of Berlin. “He's very knowledgeable and really, really dedicated to the cause.”

County board member John Curran, who was another candidate for the position, said Berlin has the full support of the board.

“We wish him the best,” Curran said. “He's got a big job to do. We're here to cooperate with him and help.”

Berlin said one of his goals will be to conduct a review of the office to determine if there are any ways it can be improved.

“We're going to take a look at everything,” he said. “If we need to make some changes, we will.”

To ensure that crime victims are represented by the best lawyers, Berlin said he will renew efforts to provide his assistants with “the most up-to-date and comprehensive training available.”

“We owe victims of crime and the entire community nothing less,” he said.

In the meantime, Berlin said he loves coming to work every day because he believes in what he's doing.

“I believe in representing victims of crime,” Berlin said. “I think it's an extremely important role for the community. It's something I've always wanted to do.”