ASA Louise Hayes Joins Republicans Running for Lake County State's Attorney

My friend Louise Hayes, who I have known for years, has announced her candidacy for Lake County State's Attorney, in the wake of long-time State's Attorney Michael Waller's retirement. Hayes has hired Brad Goodman for PR, and has been making calls and sending fundraising e-mails and the like for the past month or so.

Hayes's angle is to be "Lake County's First Female State's Attorney," which isn't a bad hook. Hayes has many years of experience in the office, but given the recent blasting that Waller has taken over the past year or two regarding the Jerry Hobbs issue and other DNA-related kerfuffles, it will be very interesting to see if Hayes's deep prosecutorial experience ends up being a hindrance or a help. Hayes has been pointing out that she personally has had nothing to do with any of the DNA cases that have caught the attention of the media.

Hayes joins private municipal attorney Bryan Winter and former ASA (now in private practice) Mike Nerheim in the race on the GOP side, and another former ASA Chris Kennedy and former AUSA Scott Drury on the Dem side.


Here's Hayes' press release:

Louise Hayes Announces Candidacy for Lake County State’s Attorney
Only Career Prosecutor to Enter the GOP Primary Aims to Become Lake County’s First Female State’s Attorney

Lake Bluff 8/23/2011—Today, Louise Hayes a veteran of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office announced her candidacy for the GOP nomination for Lake County State’s Attorney. Hayes has served under both former State’s Attorney Fred Foreman and current State’s Attorney Mike Waller.

Hayes has prosecuted hundreds of cases on behalf of the people of Lake County and has a thorough understanding of the justice system. She also prides herself on working for victims’ rights. Currently she works in the Mental Health Court, the Veterans' Court, and runs the Grand Jury. Each Grand Jury meets weekly for four months, and indicts those charged with murder, sexual assaults, weapons violations, and numerous other violent or property offenses. Hayes recently extradited from Mexico a fugitive who is awaiting trial on a murder charge in Lake County.

Hayes said, “I will work with the County Board and its budgetary constraints, as tough times call for tough measures, but I will always ensure that justice is served in the Lake County.”

In addition to keeping the office running within budget and ensuring justice, Hayes also has set goals to:

• Continue excellent programs run by the office including the Lake County Domestic Violence Council, the Lake County Children’s' Advocacy Center, and the Major Crash Assistance Team.

• Reallocate funds to the Cyber Crime Division. This division of the office prosecutes criminals who misuse the internet, for example those who prey on young children.

• Protect the ever-growing elderly population from abuse, by continued collaboration with outside Lake County agencies. This includes continued training of law enforcement personnel to recognize the abuse that elders suffer at the hands of others.

• Implement a post-conviction review board made up of attorneys, law enforcement personnel, scientists, and other representatives of the community.

Hayes is a graduate of Stevenson High School, and has lived in Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove and Lake Bluff. She is a graduate of Purdue University and of John Marshall Law School. She and her husband have been married for close to 25 years and have four children, all educated in Lake County's public schools.

Hayes expects both a challenging Primary and General Election and has committed to ensure her campaign will have the funding needed to win both races and become Lake County’s first female State’s Attorney.