Will County prosecutor Tina Filipiak honored as State’s Attorney of Year by Illinois State Crime Commission
June 16
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Tina Filipiak, the longtime chief of his Juvenile Division, was named 2010 State’s Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission.
The Crime Commission honored Filipiak at its Fourteenth Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 15 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. She was among a dozen leaders from throughout Illinois in the areas of law enforcement, government and business who were honored for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
State’s Attorney Glasgow nominated Filipiak for the honor because of the many years of dedicated and expert leadership she has provided to a team of prosecutors who grapple with the circuit court’s most difficult and sensitive cases.
Filipiak supervises the prosecution of all criminal cases involving anyone under the age of 17 in Will County. Her division also prosecutes parents who abuse or neglect their children. In serious abuse and neglect cases, she litigates the termination of parental rights. The Juvenile Division also oversees Juvenile Drug Court, which helps young people cope with addictions to illegal drugs and assists them with education and counseling.
“Tina is a compassionate and committed prosecutor who completely understands the high stakes for the young defendants and the families who appear on her call each and every day,” Glasgow said. “Her heartfelt dedication to the juvenile justice process is unprecedented. She has performed tremendous work over the years to shield children from abuse and safeguard the integrity of our families. Through her skillful leadership in Juvenile Court, Tina has balanced the necessities of protecting our community from the most dangerous offenders with our responsibility to place eligible young defendants on the path to becoming productive citizens.”
At Tuesday’s awards dinner, Filipiak, a Joliet resident, thanked the Illinois State Crime Commission for the honor.
“Because of the important work the Crime Commission performs on behalf of children, I am confident that we will leave behind a better world for my daughter when she grows up,” Filipiak said. “I also want to thank State’s Attorney Glasgow for nominating me for this honor and for allowing me to lead his Juvenile Division for all of these years. This isn’t just job, it’s a career. I truly love coming to work every day.”
Among the distinguished guests honored with Filipiak was Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride. In receiving this award, Filipiak also joins State’s Attorney Glasgow, who twice has been named State’s Attorney of the Year by the Crime Commission in 1996 and in 2008.