photo by steed media service

What are your professional qualifications?

I’ve been involved in the criminal justice system off and on for about 30 years. I have the experience, intellect, maturity and, here in this town, the political independence to do a job fairly. I’m a former assistant state’s attorney of Cook County. I was supervisor of the Gang Prosecution Unit. I’m a former FBI agent. Over the past 10 years, I’ve been a criminal defense lawyer. Every day I see the best and worst of this system and the changes that need to be made.

Tell us about your background.

My mother and father are both deceased. My father had a fifth grade education; my mother had a sixth grade education. I grew up in public housing in Chicago’s South Side. I lived in public housing until I graduated [from] law school. I’m divorced with four children ages 17 to 27.

What changes need to be made in your district?

In the city of Chicago, there is a tremendous rift between the community and the Chicago police departments — and the various departments, I must say. Here, people turn to the mayor to resolve these conflicts, when really, the state’s attorney has tremendous power. As we all know, as it’s been highlighted by the Jena Six, the state attorney really decides what constitutes justice within the criminal justice system. The prosecutor of Jena supposedly made the statement, ‘With the stroke of my pen, I can change your life.’ Which is true. You need somebody with balance. - adam jones

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