Are Illinois State's Attorneys Slackers?

Are Illinois authorities doing all they can to clean up the state's systemic corruption? Probably not. State's Attorneys are elected officials too, and in Illinois that means there is a good chance that they are beholden to The Machine Democrats in the north or The Combine Democrats in the south. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, a Machine Democrat, was asked some tough questions recently. She was not happy about it. Another touchy moment came when former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin, said “the level of corruption in Illinois is unprecedented and unmatched” and asked “why Illinois’ 100 state’s attorneys are not more engaged in uncovering it and prosecuting it.” Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, a commission member, sat expressionless as he spoke. VIDEO at CBS 2 Chicago. More good video at ABC 7 Chicago. This and other stories at http://www.unitedrepublican.com/ Subscribe to Chicago News Bench

Is Anita Alvarez Worried?

She should be, writes Mark Johnson, very worried about the Sorich Conviction the convictions of four leaders of the Daley patronage army. Mark writes: "This week's announcement that the federal appellate court has upheld the convictions of four leaders of the Daley patronage army - including patronage chief Robert Sorich - should [worry] Cook County State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez. Why? The reasons are simple..." READ THE REASONS at Mark Johnson's blog...