By John Dempsey, WLS News
(CHICAGO) Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez is defending her record in an interview on “The Big John Howell Show”, on WLS.
Alvarez is contending with critics who say she waited too long to file charges against white police officer Jason VanDyke, in the murder of black teenager LaQuan McDonald. Alvarez says she waited because she was working hand in hand with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago, which was also investigating the case.
She also responded to criticism that she is too close with the police department, and too hesitant to bring charges against bad officers in general. “Sure we work with police each and every day. They’re the agency that makes the arrests and brings us the cases. And we will continue to do that. But as the lead State’s Attorney you have to make those tough decisions, and when officers break the law you have to handle it.”
Alvarez also refused to comment on whether she will bring charges against the officers who were at the scene of the McDonald shooting who falsified their reports about what happened. She says she continues working with the U.S. Attorney on that part of the investigation.
Alvarez has a tough re-election battle in the March 15th Democratic Primary against Kim Foxx and Donna More.
@ 2016 WLS-AM News
