Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez said Tuesday that her office is putting a new division in place to assist in handling sensitive cases involving sexual and domestic violence. In remarks at the City Club of Chicago, Alvarez also discussed the negative impact budget cuts have had on her office and touted the success of Illinois' new RICO law.

“Sexual and domestic violence cases are very complex and they involve unique dynamics. They are also highly sensitive and involve some of our most vulnerable victims,” Alvarez said while discussing the new Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence Division. “Prosecutors who are specially trained and who routinely handle domestic violence and sexual violence cases can recognize common barriers to effectively handling these cases and develop strategies to overcome them.” 

Alvarez's remarks also centered around countywide budget cuts over the past five years that have led to the elimination of 130 staffers.

On top of that, “The sheer volume of cases that we manage is staggering,” she added. Alvarez said about 211,000 felony and misdemeanor charges were disposed of in 2013, which is an approximate 4 percent increase when compared to the previous year.

“In my office, the somewhat alarming reality is that we manage our burgeoning caseloads in spite of continuing cuts to our staffing and resources. Our ranks remain significantly understaffed,” Alvarez said. “There is no question that these cuts have had a negative impact on our quality of service in some areas, as well as our ability to move cases through the system as quickly as we would like.” 

Meanwhile, Alvarez said Illinois' recently enacted RICO law targeting gang leaders has been a success thus far.

About 40 leaders of a West Side street gang responsible for an open-air drug market were charged under Illinois' new racketeering law last year as part of an effort by the Chicago police, FBI and Alvarez's office. That was the first use of the state's new RICO law. Alvarez said other RICO cases are in the works.