OFFICE OF THE STATES ATTORNEY

COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

ANITA ALVAREZ

69 WEST WASHINGTON ST.

SUITE 3200
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602

STATES ATTORNEY

Press Release
FOR RELEASE:
INFORMATION:
February 16, 2016

FOR
(312) 603-3423

STATEMENT FROM COOK COUNTY STATES ATTORNEY ANITA ALVAREZ

REGARDING THE PETITION OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR IN THE CRIMINAL CASE OF
JASON VAN DYKE
"The State's Attorney's Office has spent over a year working hand-in-hand with the U.S.
Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, using the full resources of the
most professional and respected investigative agency in the nation to build a meticulous
case against Jason Van Dyke. Moreover, that case has already resulted in an indictment,
and has been assigned to ASA Risa Lanier and ASA Lynn McCarthy, two highly skilled
prosecutors with vast experience prosecuting violent offenders and complex cases.
Since Anita Alvarez was elected States Attorney, she has brought charges against 96 law
enforcement officers when those charges were appropriate, and this case is no different-Jason Van Dyke should be prosecuted by experienced Cook County State's Attorneys using
the resources gathered during the thorough joint investigation with federal authorities. Its
more than a little coincidental that this action is being taken less than 30 days before an
election, at a press conference held by the political supporters of a candidate for State's
Attorney.
The law of the State of Illinois dictates the circumstances under which a special states
attorney ought to be appointed in any case--not the States Attorney. If any party with
standing wants to make that request and legal arguments that would merit the
appointment of a special states attorney, they should do so in a court of law, not a press
conference. But it is clear that there is no legal conflict in this case, and prosecution will
proceed to hold Jason Van Dyke accountable for the murder of Laquan McDonald.
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