Devine backs loan forgiveness bill

In his letter of Aug. 19, writer John Culloton takes issue with the loan forgiveness bill for prosecutors and public defenders now awaiting the president's signature.

First, he states most prosecutors spend only a few years with our office and then go on to private practice to make more money. Some do, but many others stay as career prosecutors.

That choice should not consign them to lives of crippling debt.

We can offer starting salaries that are only about one-third what a large private law firm can pay. If we are lucky enough to attract quality lawyers, we must do all we can to retain them.

When our prosecutors do leave, they leave reluctantly, usually because their debts from law school have finally worn them down.

We need to do all we can to attract and retain quality people, and Sen. Dick Durbin's bill will make that easier.

Our criminal justice system and the citizens it serves deserve no less.

Richard A. Devine

Cook County State's Attorney

Chicago