Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Holds Largest Swearing-In Ceremony for Class of 2024 Bar Takers

 CHICAGO – The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) last week celebrated its largest swearing-in ceremony for the Class of 2024 today, welcoming 52 new Assistant State’s Attorneys who recently passed the bar. This significant ceremony also marked the final swearing-in led by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who has overseen numerous class inductions during her tenure.

The new Assistant State’s Attorneys took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the State of Illinois, and the duties of their role, underscoring a unique responsibility to both pursue justice and protect the rights of defendants. In her remarks, State’s Attorney Foxx highlighted the importance of this dual commitment, explaining, “Prosecutors take a separate oath – an oath not only as attorneys but as representatives of the people who ensure that justice is pursued fairly and equitably. This responsibility is at the core of our mission.”

In attendance at the ceremony was State’s Attorney-elect Eileen O’Neill Burke, underscoring the Office’s commitment to a smooth transition in leadership. Her presence highlighted the ongoing dedication of the CCSAO to pursuing justice for Cook County residents and supporting its new Assistant State’s Attorneys as they embark on their careers in public service.

The new ASAs are part of the 72-member cohort welcomed to the office in August. Those who did not pass the bar in the first sitting will continue working with the office and receive dedicated tutoring as part of the CCSAO’s commitment to their professional development.

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Andrea Zopp, Managing Partner, Cleveland Avenue, a pioneering figure in the business and legal communities and the first Black woman to serve as First Assistant for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Zopp’s speech drew from her extensive career in public service, inspiring the new ASAs to embrace the values of dedication, integrity, and community responsibility as they embark on their prosecutorial careers.

Under Foxx’s leadership, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has implemented a range of initiatives to foster a diverse and highly skilled legal workforce, including expanded onboarding, paid clerkships, and professional development programs such as the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) training. Additionally, a recent salary study enabled the office to adjust pay scales, aligning compensation more closely with comparable prosecutor’s offices, further enhancing the CCSAO’s ability to attract and retain top legal talent. The CCSAO has also covered Assistant State’s Attorneys’ ARDC annual dues and this year, Foxx has allocated this support as a separate and dedicated line item in the 2025 budget, underscoring the Office’s commitment to alleviating financial burdens on staff.

“These roles carry a great weight, as we strive for justice while respecting the rights of every individual involved,” said State’s Attorney Foxx. “We ask our Assistant State’s Attorneys to bring their full dedication and integrity to this work, and it’s crucial that they are supported in turn. By adjusting salaries and covering essential costs like ARDC dues, we help ensure that our ASAs can sustain themselves and focus on the demanding, impactful work they do every day.”

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office. Under the leadership of Cook County’s first Black woman State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx, the office has championed a progressive vision of justice that emphasizes thriving, healthy, and safe communities for all residents of Cook County, regardless of race, income, or zip code. As State’s Attorney, Foxx has been recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive prosecutors, employing innovative strategies to break the cycles of violence and crime and effecting change in a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. As her tenure draws to a close, her legacy of reform and community engagement will continue to influence the office. Follow @SAKimFoxx on Instagram, X and Facebook and @CookCountySAO on X and Facebook for updates and information.