Joseph Birkett

DuPage County State's Attorney

Joseph E. Birkett became an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County in October 1981 and advanced rapidly through the Criminal Division. In 1985, he was promoted to Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, prosecuting drug delivery cases. The next year Joe was named Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. He served from 1991 until October of 1996 as the Chief of the Criminal Division.

Joe was sworn in as DuPage County State’s Attorney on October 1, 1996 to succeed Anthony Peccarelli in filling the unexpired term of Jim Ryan, who was elected Illinois Attorney General. Joe was later elected to the position for a four-year term in November of 1996, re-elected for another 4-year term in November of 2000 and re-elected again in November 2004. Joe is responsible for managing an office with over 170 employees and a budget of over $8 million.

The DuPage County State’s Attorney, through his Assistants, prosecutes all criminal matters in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois and provides legal counsel to the County of DuPage, County Departments, and County Officials in their official capacity. The State’s Attorney also brings suit on behalf of the County whenever deemed necessary and defends the County when it is sued.

The primary mission of the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office is to seek justice in each individual case. Protection of the public and the well being of the victims of crime are the concerns that guide trial practice, policy development, program implementation and the actions of the professionals working in your State's Attorney's Office. Joe has been responsible for developing new and innovative methods for reducing crime, increasing public safety and enhancing the quality of live for citizens in DuPage County.

Joe is a teacher, a frequent lecturer across the nation, and an award-winning administrator. Throughout his career, Joe has received numerous awards and commendations for prosecutorial excellence from State’s Attorneys, law enforcement agencies and victims. In June of 2006, the State’s Attorney’s Office was recognized by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve as a Patriotic Employer for the Office’s support of employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Forces. In August of 2006, the State’s Attorney’s Office’s Parental Gang Education Class was honored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) for its innovative and creative approach in addressing the County’s street gang problem.

Joe and his wife Patti have lived in DuPage County for over 25 years and currently reside in Wheaton with their two children.

Legal and Law Related Activities

• Admitted to the Illinois Bar, 1981
  
• Admitted to Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1981
  
• Admitted to the United States Supreme Court, 1996
  
• Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation, President 2000-2001
• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Fight Crime – Invest in Kids Organization, Member
• DuPage County Bar Association, Member & Past Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee
• DuPage American Inns of Court, Member
• Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, Member
• National Louis University (Wheaton, IL), Adjunct Faculty Member
• DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association, Member
• DuPage County Police Association, Member
• Interviewed by numerous television and radio programs (including Nightline, 60 Minutes, 20/20 and the BBC) to discuss law enforcement issues
• Frequent lecturer across the United States on law enforcement issues
• Trained federal, state and local police officers and prosecutors on numerous topics
• Author of numerous publications, training manuals, articles and legislative proposals

Awards

• International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (INEOA) Special Award of Honor, 2004
• Illinois Drug Enforcement Officers Association, 2002 Award of Honor
• Frederick Milton Thrasher Award, National Gang Crime Research Center, 2002
• Public Official of the Year, Illinois Chiefs Association, 2002
• Prosecutor of the Year, Illinois Prosecutors Bar Association, 2001
• National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) – Greater Illinois Area Chapter Appreciation Award, 2001
• Breaking Free, Inc. (Family Support Center) Appreciation Award, 2001
• Special Commendation, Suburban Law Enforcement Academy Basic Training Program, 2000
• State’s Attorney of the Year, Illinois Crime Commission, 1999
• Bishop Arthur O’Neill Award for Outstanding Dedication to Catholic Education, 1999
• Award for Outstanding Prosecution Based Victim’s Program from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, 1998
• Commendation for Distinguished Leadership as Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee, DuPage County Bar Association, 1997-1998
• United Hellenic Voters of America “1997 Man of the Year”
• Special Commendation from the DuPage County Chiefs of Police for Outstanding Gang and Organized Crime Prosecutions, 1996
• Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation Regional Vice President’s Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy (Region 2), 1995-1996
• Special Commendation from the Village of Bartlett (Robles Murder Investigation), 1993
• Commendation for Participation in the Advanced Forensics Investigations Course, co-hosted by the FBI and the Naperville Police Department, 1992
• Special Commendation for Prosecutorial Excellence as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division from DuPage County State’s Attorney Jim Ryan, 1988
• Special Commendation for Prosecutorial Excellence from DuPage County State’s Attorney J. Michael Fitzsimmons, 1982
• Named 2007 Law & Politics Magazine “Illinois Super Lawyer” – Criminal Prosecution