Lake County Gazette

In the race for Lake County State’s Attorney, candidate Mary Cole is making waves with her commitment to prioritizing public safety and victim rights. 

Cole, who has been on the campaign trail for nearly a year, is rallying support from voters across the political spectrum with her message of combating crime and ensuring justice for all.

"Our campaign is hyper-focused on speaking to voters and groups throughout Lake County as well as raising the money it will take to defeat Eric Rinehart in November’s General Election," Cole told Lake County Gazette. "After nearly a year of campaigning, I know that my message of focusing on the safety of our neighborhoods, ensuring that violent offenders actually stay behind bars, and prioritizing fighting back against gang violence is resonating with voters from across the political spectrum."

Cole emphasized the importance of grassroots support in combating her opponent's formidable fundraising abilities. 

"We combat Eric Rinehart’s fundraising ability by outworking him," she stated. "My campaign has over 400 individual donors, a vast majority of which are from here in Lake County. During the last fundraising quarter, we reported raising more money than Eric Rinehart has in an individual quarter during his entire political career."

Highlighting the urgency of her campaign's mission, Cole shared a personal experience that shaped her dedication to criminal justice reform. 

"In college, I encountered the criminal justice system for the first time as a victim in a domestic violence case," she said. "This experience gave me a unique perspective on the importance of prosecutors treating victims of crime with dignity and respect and reinforced why I chose a career practicing law."

Cole criticized the current state of affairs under Rinehart's leadership, citing rising crime rates and a lack of prosecution as key issues. 

"The County State’s Attorney must serve as the victims’ voice and ensure justice, but that isn’t happening right now under Eric Rinehart," she said. "This fall, Lake County voters will have a clear choice in the Lake County State’s Attorney race. Under Eric Rinehart, crime is up, prosecution of criminals is down, and our neighborhoods are less safe."

Cole outlined her vision for the role of State’s Attorney, promising to prioritize public safety and victim rights while eschewing partisan politics. 

"If given the privilege of serving as Lake County State’s Attorney, I’ll focus on restoring public safety, giving victims a voice, and removing the overt partisan politics that is currently going on in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office," she said.

With the November election on the horizon, Cole's campaign continues to gain momentum as she positions herself as a champion for justice and community safety in Lake County.

Crime has risen under Rinehart’s term. 

In 2022, Lake County recorded 154 reported violent crime offenses per 100,000 people. This represents a 7% increase from 2014 to 2022.

Conservative activists in Lake County have long mobilized against Cole’s opponent, accusing Rinehart of promoting a "soft on crime agenda." 

Melanie Finch, a Gurnee resident, took to social media to rally support for Rinehart's challenger, citing concerns over his alleged criminal-friendly policies. 

Keith Brin, chairman of the Lake County Republican Party, echoed these sentiments, criticizing Rinehart's focus on progressive initiatives over public safety. The controversy intensified with claims that Rinehart is financially supported by liberal billionaire George Soros. 

Cole has previously launched scathing accusations against Rinehart and Governor JB Pritzker, who has donated in favor of Rinehart, alleging interference with outside money and politics in the local election. 

“Because of my opponent’s decision to put politics over people, homicides in Lake County have jumped from: 38 in 2020 to 54 in 2022 while crimes in places like Libertyville, Antioch, Grayslake, Gurnee, and Lake Zurich have increased significantly over the last three years,” said on Facebook. 

As a former Assistant State’s Attorney, Cole has condemned what she has deemed Rinehart's prioritization of politics over public safety, pointing to a surge in homicides under his watch. 

Cole was born and raised in Deerfield and received her legal education from John Marshall Law School.