The major party candidates running for Cook County State’s Attorney traded barbs yesterday in their first debate since the primary election.
Democrat Anita Alvarez says, unlike her opponent, she’s running for State’s Attorney because it’s the next logical step in her career.
ALVAREZ: I have not jumped from one political party to another and I have not run for this office and that office. I’m a career prosecutor and that’s what I do.
Alvarez has worked for the state’s attorney’s office for more than 20 years and is now third in command. Republican Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica is trying to turn that experience against her.
PERAICA: If you’re happy with the way things have been going during the last 22 years that my opponent has been in the office of Cook County State’s Attorney, then I suggest that you should vote for her.
Peraica says he’s running to root out corruption in local government. Green Party Candidate Thomas O’Brien is also running but was not invited to yesterday’s debate sponsored by the Union League Club of Chicago.
I’m Robert Wildeboer, Chicago Public Radio.