Taking on Crime
- With robberies and other violent crimes at the forefront of many Cook County residents' minds, Clayton will be proactive in preventing gun violence and other violent crime. He’ll team up with state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Bureau, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and others to bring charges and hold the most dangerous offenders accountable.
- As a former prosecutor in the Special Prosecutions unit himself, Clayton knows that beefing up Special Prosecutions will help ensure there are additional resources to prosecute retail theft, gun crimes, carjackings and more.
- Clayton will work with federal partners to get to the source of gun crimes–the traffickers moving weapons from states like Florida, Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky, across Illinois’ borders.
Protecting Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims
- Clayton is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. He will work tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
- Clayton will collaborate with local organizations and law enforcement to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and hold abusers accountable.
- Clayton's vision for the State's Attorney's Office includes a comprehensive approach to public safety, in which he will prioritize the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault cases and work to ensure survivors receive the protection and support they deserve.
Collaborating Effectively with Law Enforcement
- To make real progress in improving public safety in Cook County, one of Clayton's top priorities will be increasing collaboration between the State's Attorney's Office and law enforcement to ensure an effective working relationship.
- Clayton will reach out to each township and jurisdiction’s police department to meet with chiefs and other local leaders to hear the issues facing their communities and how the State’s Attorney's Office can help.
- Clayton will activate permanent liaisons with each local police department to ensure smooth and regular communication.
Being a Presence and Part of Communities
- Like police, prosecutors need to be a part of our communities if we’re going to build trust in the criminal justice system among residents.
- Clayton will work with the Chief Judge of Cook County to expand community courts, ensuring that prosecutors are interacting with residents on the ground in their own neighborhoods and holding people accountable in a way that’s visible and tangible for victims and other impacted residents.
- Clayton will ensure the State’s Attorney’s Office is working with community organizations, victims’ advocacy groups, business community leaders and other stakeholders to share information and infuse more resources into efforts to interrupt community violence.
Taking on Hate Crimes
- Cook County should be a place where all residents, regardless of their background, can live without fear of hate crimes. Clayton is committed to prosecuting hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law and working to prevent these incidents through community education and outreach.
- As State’s Attorney, Clayton will partner with advocacy organizations and legislators to advance policies that strengthen protections for targeted communities.
- Clayton will work with local law enforcement agencies to improve hate crime reporting and response.
Strengthening Prosecutorial Teams
- As a former Assistant State’s Attorney himself, Clayton knows that the talented and dedicated prosecutors who choose to stand up and fight for justice for victims by working in the State’s Attorney’s Office are second to none. But they need resources and more capacity.
- Clayton will commit additional resources to the recruitment and retention of well-trained and highly skilled prosecutors to the State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure the staff is operating at full strength.
- As State’s Attorney, Clayton will bring his extensive managerial experience to the office, making sure it’s a healthy and appealing work environment that keeps talented attorneys on board throughout their careers.
Guiding our Youth
- As a father, Clayton believes strongly in the importance of accountability for young people, especially those engaged in violent behavior, that is appropriate and that prevents them from picking up a gun or committing other such crimes in the future.
- With children as young as 12 committing carjackings across Cook County, it’s clear that our young people need more early intervention to keep them away from a path of crime.
- Clayton will work to strengthen partnerships with Chicago Public Schools and other Cook County school districts to make sure we’re engaging with young people, connecting high risk youth with social services and other resources, and steering them away from dangerous behaviors.
