Lake County Gazette

Eric Rinehart has officially begun his second term as Lake County State’s Attorney. In a ceremony attended by all Lake County Assistant State's Attorneys and Investigators, Rinehart expressed gratitude to his family and colleagues.

During his address, he acknowledged Judge Manak for his contributions to the legal community in Lake County. He thanked those who have worked in the State’s Attorney’s office for their service, emphasizing their role in making communities safer.

Rinehart outlined the mission of the office: "This mission is to make our community safer within a justice system that must be dedicated to truth, fairness, and compassion as it breathes life into democratically-passed laws and secures the constitutional rights that generations have fought to protect."

He highlighted progress in reducing violent crime locally but cautioned against complacency. He stated, "Locally, we know that many types of violent crimes are down in Lake County – at a rate much faster than the national or state averages. But we cannot be complacent."

Rinehart emphasized modern investigations and partnerships with police as key strategies. He noted improvements due to new technology and discussed changes following arrests without cash bail.

The need for investment in prosecutors, staff, investigators, and victim specialists was stressed. Rinehart plans to advocate for resources from the county board and state legislature.

Citing Bishop Desmond Tutu, he spoke about prevention: "Prevention is key to the long-term health of the community...the best way to be hard on crime is to prevent it in the first place."

Rinehart called for increased investment in trauma reduction, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, specialty courts expansion, diversion programs for non-violent crimes, data transparency, and trust-building with communities.

He concluded by thanking various local organizations: "Our local resources include our amazing non-profit organizations...using your connections and experiences will make this office stronger and our community healthier."

Rinehart affirmed commitment towards achieving safety and equality through collaborative efforts within Lake County.