The Chief of the Criminal Bureau serves as the supervisor of all of the Criminal Division Assistant State's Attorneys and investigators.

• Felony Unit

• Juvenile Division

• The Chief of the Criminal Bureau is assisted by a Supervisor of the Juvenile Unit.  Juvenile law is a very important area of law. The State's Attorney's Office has the responsibility for all cases involving young people, under the age of 17, who are alleged to have committed a felony or misdemeanor, have neglected or abused or are beyond the control of their parents. These procedures are governed by the Juvenile Court Act and remain confidential.

  Between 1990 and 1994, the number of juvenile case filings have doubled in DuPage County. During that period, the State's Attorney's Office has had to devote more resources to youth crimes. In addition to the number of crimes, there also has been a dramatic change in the nature of criminal acts committed by juveniles. The number of serious crimes involving battery, firearm/weapons cases, drug related offenses, are resulting in more cases proceeding to trial. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services also refers juvenile neglect cases and termination of parental right cases to the State's Attorney's Office for investigation and disposition.

• Special Prosecution Division

• Gang Crimes Unit

  An emerging problem in DuPage County is the increasing amount of criminal activity committed by members of street gangs. Nearly every community in DuPage County, has to some degree, experienced gang-related activity. Criminal activities range from graffiti to burglary to homicide. The State's Attorney has assigned  Assistant State's Attorneys  to work with local law enforcement officials to prosecute gang related crimes.

• B.A.T.T.L.E.

  The DuPage Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement or B.A.T.T.L.E. Program has been successful in initiating programs to deter automobile theft in DuPage County. The State's Attorney has a full-time Assistant State's Attorney assigned to the Special Prosecution Division to work with local law enforcement agencies in the prosecution of auto thieves.

• Investigations Unit

  The State's Attorney has team of investigators who assist various units in the investigation and prosecution of criminal activity. The unit engages in undercover activity, surveillance, court authorized eavesdropping and evidence collection. The Investigations Unit also assists in locating and interviewing witnesses. The unit is also responsible for service of subpoenas, summons and warrants.

• Victim Services Unit

• The Victim Services Unit provides assistance to victims and witnesses of violent crime. Advocates assigned to this unit are available to assist victims of domestic battery, sexual assault, homicide, reckless homicide, child sexual abuse and victims of other violent crimes with questions or problems. Advocates provide information about an individual's rights as a victim of a crime, the criminal justice system, case status and counseling.

• Misdemeanor Division

  The Chief of the Criminal Bureau is assisted by a Deputy Chief of the Misdemeanor Division. The Deputy Chief supervises the Assistant State's Attorneys assigned to the  misdemeanor courtrooms and  Assistant State's Attorney's assigned to the satellite traffic court locations. There are 2 Assistant State's Attorneys assigned to each misdemeanor courtroom. They are responsible for handling case loads involving offenses such as driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), domestic battery, theft and criminal damage to property. The State's Attorney is constantly exploring new methods and techniques designed to respond to the increasing problem of alcohol related offenses. The Misdemeanor Division's efforts resulted in the annual sentencing of several thousand DUI offenders.

• Traffic Unit

  Another significant portion of the Misdemeanor Units is prosecuting traffic cases at the satellite traffic court locations. Assistant State's Attorneys are present every day in these traffic court locations to process cases including, but not limited to, speeding, driving with a suspended/revoked driver's license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and overweight truck violations.

Back to Chart

The State's Attorney is charged with the legal representation of the County of DuPage, a 300 million dollar organization employing several thousand individuals.

• Litigation

  The State's Attorney is responsible for representing and advising the County and its officials in civil litigation arising out of the course of their official duties. These actions include personal injury, civil rights, condemnation proceedings, construction litigation, tax rate cases, bankruptcy, zoning and building ordinance violations cases. Other duties include the enforcement of other County ordinances, collection of taxes and monies owed the County.

• Civil Rights

  Civil Rights claims against the County, the Sheriff's Department, State's Attorney's Office and other County officials are defended almost exclusively "in-house". In 90 percent of the cases, Assistant State's Attorneys have successfully obtained dismissal of the claims. Many of the attorneys in the Civil Division are admitted to practice in the Federal Courts where the majority of these cases are determined.

• Appeals

  The Civil Bureau maintains and monitors criminal appeals and prepares cases for transfer to the State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor, 2nd Appellate District. The Appeals Unit also prepares all civil appeals.

• Legal Counsel to County and Elected Officials

  Assistant State's Attorneys attend count board committee meetings and provide legal advice concerning the drafting of contracts, county policies and resolutions. The State's Attorney provides opinions to the County Board and elected officials. The Civil Bureau also monitors new legislation for its potential impact on the County. The office serves as a resource for information concerning the Freedom of Information Act and investigates and prosecutes any violation of the Open Meetings Act.

• Collections

  Zoning enforcement by the State's Attorney's Office seeks primarily to endure compliance with the County zoning code. Assessed fines for egregious violations results in up to $100,000 per year. The State's Attorney's Office seeks reimbursement from parents for funds expended by the County for care, support, and care of treatment of their minor child for whom placement or treatment was ordered by the Juvenile Court.

• Mental Health

  The State's Attorney petitions the Court for the involuntary commitment for those persons who pose a serious threat to themselves or others on account of a mental disease or defect. Several hundred of these petitions are filed annually.

• Child Support Enforcement

  In cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, The DuPage County State's Attorney's Child Support Enforcement Unit helps identify and locate non-custodial parents and obtains financial support for the children of non-custodial parents. The State's Attorney's Office takes appropriate action to obtain and enforce child support orders against adjudicated fathers and parties who are separated or divorced. All families with children in need of financial support from an absent parent are eligible for child support enforcement services, whether or not they receive public aid. The Child Support Enforcement Unit collected nearly ten million dollars annually on behalf of the children, a record surpassing last year's collections by nearly one million dollars.

Back to Chart

The Administration Bureau is responsible for coordinating all administrative functions of the State's Attorney's Office including management of a multi-million dollar annual budget, supervision of  full and part-time support staff and personnel administration for  full and part-time employees.

• Financial Management

  The Administration Bureau is responsible for the preparation and administration of the State's Attorney's Office annual budget, as well as the review and approval of all expenditures. Other financial responsibilities include planning, forecasting, variance analysis and financial reporting. In addition, the Administrative Bureau is accountable for the management of forfeiture funds, contract administration, procurement, inventory control, and long range capital improvement programs.

• Grant Administration

  The State's Attorney's Office actively seeks outside funding of special programs that provide services to the citizens of DuPage County. The Administration Bureau prepares grant applications, administers all grant funding and insures compliance with all reporting and auditing requirements of various grants.

• Personnel Administration

  The Administration Bureau is responsible for the recruitment and orientation of qualified individuals for positions within the State's Attorney's Office. In addition, the personnel unit prepares and maintains all records related to salary and benefits administration, employment disability, and performance evaluations. The Bureau is also responsible for development of classification/compensation plans and overseeing the administration of State's Attorney's Office personnel policies and procedures.

• Administrative Support Services

  The Administration Division provides support services to the Criminal and Civil Bureaus of the State's Attorney's Office in the form of   non-attorney professional staff, secretaries, paralegals, data entry operators, receptionists, law clerks, records personnel and a law librarian. The Bureau also provides automation, information retrieval and statistical information.

• Information Systems/Records Management

  An essential function of the Administration Bureau is to maintain and store criminal records in a centralized location for quick reference and retrieval. The Information Systems Unit of the Administration Bureau Maintains criminal files for several thousand pending cases each year as well as a microfilm library of disposed case files. Records staff prepare criminal files on a daily basis for each of the misdemeanor courtrooms. In addition, this unit contacts witnesses, gathers criminal history backgrounds, police reports and other information necessary for the successful prosecution of criminal defendants.

• Facilities and Security

  The Administration Bureau is also responsible for the creation and maintenance of proper and safe work conditions for State's Attorney's personnel. This involves office renovation, inventory control, space planning and design. In order to insure the safety and security of employees, witnesses, victims and the public, security procedures and protocols are developed and implemented.

• Restitution Program

  Each year the State's Attorney's Office collects thousands of dollars of court-ordered restitution payments for the benefit of victims of crimes. Under this program, criminal offenders are required, as a condition of his or her sentence, to compensate the victim or the County.

Back to Chart