The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) is a diverse and inclusive team of dedicated civil professionals who are committed to upholding justice and maintaining safety for the over 5 million residents of Cook County, Illinois.
As the second-largest prosecutor's office in the United States, the CCSAO is responsible for prosecuting violations of criminal laws and regulatory statutes, including child support, civil matters, domestic violence, fraud, and immigration services. With over 1,200 employees, including 600+ attorneys, 115 investigators, and 390+ administrative staff, the CCSAO is structured with six bureaus and four independent units to ensure comprehensive coverage in handling diverse legal matters.
The CCSAO prosecutes tens-of-thousands of cases annually, addressing both misdemeanors and felony crimes in Cook County. With a deep sense of responsibility, the CCSAO tirelessly advocates for the well-being of the community and the protection of their rights. The CCSAO is committed to inclusivity, encouraging diverse perspectives and vibrant collaboration within the office. As the CCSAO upholds the values of accountability, respect, and fairness, it stands united in its pursuit of justice.
Mission
To do justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities.
Vision
We are committed to creating a safer, stronger Cook County. That means approaching every case with integrity, demanding accountability, and increasing our presence in the community.
Our success is not measured by convictions. We believe in doing what's right - fighting for the best, fairest outcomes, whatever form that takes. It's our responsibility to address the historic inequities in our justice system. Everyone deserves a fair shot at justice, regardless of their zip code, paycheck, or the color of their skin.
Values
Transparency is critical to efficiently and effectively fulfill our public safety mission. Our work is grounded in data and evidence, and we are committed to ensuring that the public can access that information.
While our first responsibility is to prosecute crime, we also have the power to impact lives. We work with our community, law enforcement, legislative partners and business stakeholders on ways to improve outcomes for individuals affected by the criminal justice system.
The criminal justice system can be unfair to segments of the population that have been historically marginalized. We work to advocate for a more fair system that prioritizes people and reform over convictions.
Our moral responsibility demands that we protect the innocent, take all allegations of crime and abuse seriously, work to convict those guilty of crime, and respect the rights of all those impacted by the criminal justice system. Our ethical responsibility is to ensure that our burden of proof is met so that we maintain the integrity of the profession and that we maintain prosecutorial integrity in every case.
In a system where corruption and forced confessions have left many people with a strong and understandable distrust for law enforcement and the justice system, we rebuild that trust by treating everyone with mutual respect and fairness, and following the law. Our role in the justice system demands that we respect the laws that govern society and preserve our democracy.