There may not be competition in McHenry County for State’s Attorney yet, but there certainly is in Lake County.

You may remember that attorney Bryan Winter was campaigning for the post at McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler’s State Rep. fund raiser.

Today the following press release popped in my inbox announcing the candidacy of Assistant State’s Attorney Louise Hayes:

Louise Hayes Announces Candidacy for Lake County State’s Attorney

Only Career Prosecutor to Enter the GOP Primary Aims to Become Lake County’s First Female State’s Attorney

Louise Haves

Lake Bluff 8/23/2011—Today, Louise Hayes a veteran of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office announced her candidacy for the GOP nomination for Lake County State’s Attorney. Hayes has served under both former State’s Attorney Fred Foreman and current State’s Attorney Mike Waller.

Hayes has prosecuted hundreds of cases on behalf of the people of Lake County and has a thorough understanding of the justice system. She also prides herself on working for victims’ rights. Currently she works in the Mental Health Court, the Veterans’ Court, and runs the Grand Jury. Each Grand Jury meets weekly for four months, and indicts those charged with murder, sexual assaults, weapons violations, and numerous other violent or property offenses. Hayes recently extradited from Mexico a fugitive who is awaiting trial on a murder charge in Lake County.

Hayes said, “I will work with the County Board and its budgetary constraints, as tough times call for tough measures, but I will always ensure that justice is served in the Lake County.”

In addition to keeping the office running within budget and ensuring justice, Hayes also has set goals to:

• Continue excellent programs run by the office including the Lake County Domestic Violence Council, the Lake County Children’s’ Advocacy Center, and the Major Crash Assistance Team.
• Reallocate funds to the Cyber Crime Division. This division of the office prosecutes criminals who misuse the internet, for example those who prey on young children.
• Protect the ever-growing elderly population from abuse, by continued collaboration with outside Lake County agencies. This includes continued training of law enforcement personnel to recognize the abuse that elders suffer at the hands of others.
• Implement a post-conviction review board made up of attorneys, law enforcement personnel, scientists, and other representatives of the community.

You'll be seeing yard signs like this.

Hayes is a graduate of Stevenson High School, and has lived in Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove and Lake Bluff. She is a graduate of Purdue University and of John Marshall Law School. She and her husband have been married for close to 25 years and have four children, all educated in Lake County’s public schools.

Hayes expects both a challenging Primary and General Election and has committed to ensure her campaign will have the funding needed to win both races and become Lake County’s first female State’s Attorney.

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Brad Goodman is the campaign’s general consultant.