Lake County officials take office

Three Lake County officials took oaths of office Thursday to officially begin work after election victories.

With promises of changes ahead, Erin Cartwright Weinstein was sworn in as the new circuit court clerk during the ceremony at the Lake County courthouse in Waukegan.

Weinstein, a Democrat who defeated incumbent Republican Keith Brin for the job in the November general election, thanked supporters during a brief speech after being sworn in by Circuit Judge James Booras.

"This is a new road for me, a good road, and we'll take it one day at a time as we make adjustments," she said.

Incumbent state's attorney Michael Nerheim and new coroner Howard Cooper also took oaths of office during the ceremony. They were sworn in by 2nd District Appellate Court Justice Mary Seminara-Schostok.

Cooper, a Republican, defeated Democrat Michael P. Donnenwirth. Incumbent Thomas Rudd, who was forced to run as a write-in candidate after his election petitions were successfully challenged, came in a distant third after write-in votes were tabulated.

Cooper said he looks forward to his time in office.

"I'm really excited to work with the state's attorneys office and the police department," he said. "We will look to do some great things in Lake County."

Nerheim, a Republican who defeated challenger Matthew Stanton to win re-election, said he was proud voters backed him for a second term.

"I'm also proud to be working with all of you," he told attorneys in his office who attended the ceremony. "We're doing great things together."