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Dr. Don Stemen Appears on WBEZ to Discuss State's Attorney Race

Dr. Don Stemen Appears on WBEZ to Discuss State

Dr. Don Stemen, Department Chair of Loyola’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, appeared on WBEZ’s Morning Shift program last week to discuss the Cook County State’s Attorney Race with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith and moderator Tony Sarabia.

Dr. Stemen provided analysis on the preceding debate between the incumbent Anita Alvarez, and challengers Donna More and Kim Foxx during the last ten minutes of the program. 

The recent high profile cases involving the Chicago Police shootings of Laquan McDonald and Dante Servin have fostered increased interest in the State’s Attorney race this election cycle.

“I think citizens are very invested in this election in particular,” Dr. Stemen told Sarabia. “People in the community want this State’s attorney’s race to put someone in place who can lead.”

Smith said that In light of the shootings and ensuring cover-up, voters have placed Alvarez under increased scrutiny, jeopardizing her chances for re-election.

However, although these high profile cases galvanize the public, Dr. Stemen said most concerning is how the State’s Attorney’s office handles every-day low level offenses that come into the courtroom and affect far more people in Cook County. Dr. Stemen discussed the importance of creating greater transparency with the public and increasing community engagement between the Office and the communities it serves.