Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I am writing in hopes that readers will consider voting for Sarah Gallagher Chami for DeKalb County State’s Attorney. Sixteen years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that I'd be writing a State's Attorney campaign letter for Sarah in 2010! But actually, I shouldn’t be surprised at all! I could speak about Sarah’s political qualifications, knowledge and experience, but anyone can research that information.
Instead, I'd like to consider Sarah, the person...
I'm privileged to have known Sarah from her Middle School age to the present, as she was a classmate of my daughter's. I've always had the utmost respect for her, even as a child. Sarah was a standout due to her work ethic, involvement, motivation, compassion, sense of values, overall character, and academic abilities. Sarah was a leader without arrogance and one who stood by her convictions and could support them – even then! Sarah was one of those young people who you observe and say to yourself, "She will achieve something really special someday!" I remain proud of Sarah as she continues on her journey requiring independence, strength, self-confidence, knowledge and skills. There is no doubt in my mind that whatever Sarah does, she will be a tremendous success – it’s simply who she is. I hope you’ll strongly consider a vote for Sarah Gallagher Chami for DeKalb County State’s Attorney. Thank you.
Donna Hill
380 E. Ottawa St.
Sycamore, Illinois 60178
October 27, 2010
Editor,
CHAMI IS BEST FIT FOR DEKALB COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
We have an easy decision on November 2 when it comes to selecting DeKalb County's next State's Attorney. Sarah Gallagher Chami has the experience, expertise and community commitment necessary for the job.
Her opponent, on the other hand, does not have the experience or focus necessary for the job of state's attorney. He is a criminal defense attorney...not a prosecutor. He has spent his legal career representing criminals convicted of murder, sex assault and domestic battery and in the process, attempting to keep them on the street. He has no prosecuting experience. He has based his debates and campaign on issues that are not the responsibility of our county’s lead prosecutor but rather are the responsibility of our county board.
Compare this record with Sarah Gallagher Chami. Sarah didn’t defend criminals. Instead, she prosecuted criminals for six years in Cook County. She is trained, focused and dedicated to put criminals in jail. She knows our community and its issues well having grown up here. More importantly, Sarah understands the job of DeKalb County State’s Attorney and is poised to start the job on day one.
I want to elect a candidate who is focused on the job of state’s attorney and has the experience necessary to prevent crime in our community, not one who defends those who create it. Please join me on November 2 in voting for Sarah Gallaher Chami.
Anita Zurbrugg
DeKalb, IL
Who will you elect to prevent crime in your community?
Orientation. For 18 years Clay Campbell represented criminals convicted of murder, sex assault, and domestic battery. Clay is a career criminal defense attorney. He didn't put bad guys in jail as an attorney. Instead, he tried to keep them on the street. Compare his record to Sarah Gallagher-Chami"s record.
Sarah didn't defend criminals. Instead, she prosecuted bad guys for 6 years. Sarah worked with average citizens (grand jurors) to decide which criminal cases should be filed in court. She is oriented, trained, and dedicated to put bad guys in jail, not let them out. Sarah is a career prosecutor. Seriously folks, which one of these two candidates do you trust to prosecute the bad guys?
No Conflict. Sarah's father is a judge in Kane County (St. Charles). Sarah wouldn't handle cases in Kane County because the job of DeKalb State's Attorney ends at County Line Road.
Historically. DeKalb County voters do not like to elect criminal defense attorneys as their chief prosecutor. Electing a criminal defense attorney to the position of State's Attorney could be like putting a fox in the hen house.
If you're charged with a crime, hire Clay Campbell. If you want to prevent crime, vote for a career-prosecutor - Sarah Gallagher-Chami.
Mike Coghlan
Former DeKalb State's Attorney
Illinois Municipal Police Association Endorses Sarah Gallagher Chami for States Attorney of DeKalb County
The Illinois Municipal Police Association Benevolent announces its endorsement of Sarah Gallagher Chami for State’s Attorney of DeKalb County. "Through her exemplary service as a felony prosecutor in Cook County, Sarah has shown the knowledge, perseverance and integrity necessary to lead DeKalb County into the future," says Michael R. Ochsner, Jr, President.
"Police officers risk their lives each time they take the streets to arrest offenders and protect the neighborhoods they serve," added Ochsner. "When tireless police work leads to an arrest, it is refreshing to turn the case over to a professional prosecutor who is dedicated to justice, expresses compassion to victims, and has the intelligence necessary to follow the case to a successful conclusion. Sarah Gallagher Chami has already proven herself as just such a prosecutor and deserves to be elected the next State’s Attorney of DeKalb County."
"The office of States Attorney is too important to be handed over to a career politician or anyone who has never prosecuted a case," Ochsner says. "DeKalb County deserves someone with prosecutorial experience tireless dedication, and an established background in the community. This is why the Illinois Municipal Police Association Benevolent endorses the clear choice, Sarah Gallagher Chami, as the next State's Attorney of DeKalb County," Ochsner concluded.
Dear Editor,
It is a great honor to have the opportunity to publically support Sarah Gallagher Chami for DeKalb Country State’s Attorney. As a mother and fellow career women, I am excited to elect the first ever female states attorney in DeKalb County.
I've had the honor to know Sarah for many years, and I've always reveled at her ability to think clearly, and argue effectively, while keeping her humor and good judgment. She has over six years of prosecuting experience, but what’s more, Sarah is committed to constantly learning, and is eager to accept each new challenge with passion and integrity.
Whats most encouraging is Sarah's commitment to provide and maintain a safer environment for our children, both on the streets and online. Sarah understands that growing up and living in a safe community creates a ripple effect for countess other issues.
I urge you to support Sarah Gallagher Chami for DeKalb County State’s Attorney.
Amanda Carrier
Amanda Carrier
Marketing Specialist
Dear Editor,
The States Attorney is the Chief Prosecutor for the County as well as being the Attorney for the County Board. Sarah Gallagher Chami has the experience and the commitment to make an excellent States Attorney. A native of Sycamore, she understands the County and its people.
After excelling academically at DePaul University and at Chicago Kent College of Law, Sarah gained valuable experience in the Kane County States attorney's Office in the Domestic Violence Division, at the Neville and Mahoney Law Office in Chicago, and in the Cook County Special Prosecutor's office and Felony Trial Division. As Assistant States Attorney in Cook County she gained critical trial and prosecuting experience. From 2005-2009 she was the Supervisor of Preliminary Hearings/Grand Jury for District 4 and tried numerous cases as Misdemeanor Trial Assistant.
Sarah is the only candidate with the big city criminal prosecution experience to carry DeKalb into the future. Sarah and her husband Elie, (also born and raised in this area) and their two children moved back to Sycamore last year. As the fifth generation of a family deeply rooted and respected in this County, she understands the community and is invested in its well-being. I hope you will join me in voting for Sarah Gallagher Chami on November 2.
Pat Vary
138 Mattek Ave.
DeKalb
Pat Vary lives in DeKalb and is a DeKalb County Board member.
As a former DeKalb County Clerk, I am honored to write this letter urging all voters to examine the highly impressive qualifications and experience of Sarah Gallagher Chami for DeKalb County State's Attorney.
Know that Sarah as been a public prosecutor her entire legal career and has tried and won numerous criminal trials. MY wife JoAnn and I have known Sarah since her childhood in Sycamore, and we have watched her grow to become the talented professional woman she is today. In the 25 years that JoAnn and I have lived in the Dekalb area, I was fortunate to have been associated with great people and organizations like Rotary, the Jaycees, YMCA and our church. I worked with professional teachers in the Sycamore schools and dedicated employees of the county. These associations I feel gave me a unique perspective of what qualities are needed in an office that is so crucial to citizen's welfare and their quality of life.
Sarah's years as a Cook County prosecutor well prepared her to come home and face the toughest type of criminals. She knows the county and the people in it. Sarah Gallagher Chami will bring new and fresh ideas to the office.
My personal experience in elected office and my understanding of the significance of electing the right candidate to maintain and improve the safety and well being of DeKalb County residents underscores the importance of electing Sarah Gallagher Chami as the next DeKalb County State's Attorney.
Her exceptional qualifications and her life-long commitment and dedication to DeKalb County make her the best candidate for your vote on November 2.
Terry Desmond
Lake Forrest, IL
Sarah Gallagher Chami is without question the most experienced and qualified candidate to be the next State’s Attorney of DeKalb County. Significantly, she has been endorsed by the Illinois Municipal Police Association. This law enforcement organization has made the determination that they believe she is the best person to serve the citizens of DeKalb County in the office of State’s Attorney.
If you go to the website of the State’s Attorney of DeKalb County http://www.dekalbcounty.org/court/states_attorney.html you will find that the State's Attorney "has the exclusive responsibility for prosecuting violations of the criminal laws of the State of Illinois as well as traffic violations.....provides legal advice to all County Officials and represents the County in all actions where the County is a party...Cases handled by the State’s Attorney include felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic, juvenile detention and prosecution, juvenile abuse and neglect, interstate reciprocal child support and public aid cases, mental health, advice to government officials and tax collection prosecutions."
In his most recent letter to the Chronicle, Sarah’s opponent informs the public of why he should be elected. However, he does not address the issues most relevant to the job of States’ Attorney. He cites cutting government spending, opposing any tax increase, and preserving the courthouse. It sounds as if he would rather be running for county board or a state wide legislative office instead of leading our county’s prosecuting office and working with our law enforcement teams to keep our citizens secure . If these are his primary concerns and reasons for wanting to be the State’s Attorney, I am not sure he understands the office.
Sarah has been a criminal prosecutor her entire legal career. She was a Cook County Dist. 4 Criminal Prosecutions Bureau Supervisor of Preliminary Hearing and Grand Jury Unit, Felony Trial Division, Child Support Enforcement. She was a Cook County special prosecutor’s office law clerk as well as experienced in the Kane County’s domestic violence division. The range and volume of cases she has supervised and prosecuted personally cannot be matched by her opponent.
Sarah is committed to the communities of DeKalb County and will work with schools, social service agencies and all community groups to ensure the safety and quality of life the residents of DeKalb County expect. She understands the role of the State’s Attorney and is ready to step into the job on day one.
I encourage voters to join me in electing Sarah Gallagher Chami as the next State’s Attorney of DeKalb County. We will all be served best by her election on Nov. 2nd.
Sarah Gallagher Chami is without question the most experienced and qualified candidate to be the next State’s Attorney of DeKalb County. Significantly, she has been endorsed by the Illinois Municipal Police Association. This law enforcement organization has made the determination that they believe she is the best person to serve the citizens of DeKalb County in the office of State’s Attorney.
If you go to the website of the State’s Attorney of DeKalb County http://www.dekalbcounty.org/court/states_attorney.html you will find that the State's Attorney "has the exclusive responsibility for prosecuting violations of the criminal laws of the State of Illinois as well as traffic violations.....provides legal advice to all County Officials and represents the County in all actions where the County is a party...Cases handled by the State’s Attorney include felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic, juvenile detention and prosecution, juvenile abuse and neglect, interstate reciprocal child support and public aid cases, mental health, advice to government officials and tax collection prosecutions."
In his most recent letter to the Chronicle, Sarah’s opponent informs the public of why he should be elected. However, he does not address the issues most relevant to the job of States’ Attorney. He cites cutting government spending, opposing any tax increase, and preserving the courthouse. It sounds as if he would rather be running for county board or a state wide legislative office instead of leading our county’s prosecuting office and working with our law enforcement teams to keep our citizens secure . If these are his primary concerns and reasons for wanting to be the State’s Attorney, I am not sure he understands the office.
Sarah has been a criminal prosecutor her entire legal career. She was a Cook County Dist. 4 Criminal Prosecutions Bureau Supervisor of Preliminary Hearing and Grand Jury Unit, Felony Trial Division, Child Support Enforcement. She was a Cook County special prosecutor’s office law clerk as well as experienced in the Kane County’s domestic violence division. The range and volume of cases she has supervised and prosecuted personally cannot be matched by her opponent.
Sarah is committed to the communities of DeKalb County and will work with schools, social service agencies and all community groups to ensure the safety and quality of life the residents of DeKalb County expect. She understands the role of the State’s Attorney and is ready to step into the job on day one.
I encourage voters to join me in electing Sarah Gallagher Chami as the next State’s Attorney of DeKalb County. We will all be served best by her election on Nov. 2nd.
