Voters wanted change in the criminal justice system

November 5th, 2008 at 03:05am Chuck Sweeny

Some thoughts on the elections:

In both the Winnebago County state’s attorney’s race and in two judges races, voters signaled that they want change in key elements of the criminal justice system. People are really serious about reducing the state’s highest crime rate, and they chose Joe Bruscato, a young newcomer, to be state’s attorney, despite the fact that Chuck Prorok had been first deputy assistant state’s attorney under Paul Logli, the state’s attorney for 21 years until stepping down in 2007.

And it’s somewhat ironic that Logli, who was appointed as a circuit judge, lost his post in only the second election in his long career where he had to face an opponent. Lisa Fabiano defeated him with old-fashioned neighborhood canvassing,  something Logli apparently didn’t do enough of. We don’t know much of Fabiano, but we trust she’ll be a good judge.

The other history-making local election was Gwyn Gulley’s victory for circuit judge. She becomes the first black judge in the 17th Circuit’s history.

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