STATE’S ATTORNEY OPENS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER AT OAK PARK-AUSTIN BORDER

In an effort to bring the services of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office closer to the communities it serves, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez opened the third Community Justice Center, at 4 Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. Police officials, elected officials and community leaders from both sides of the border joined Alvarez in officially opening the Center July 7. It will serve both city and suburban residents on the West Side.
    “We are pleased to open the third Community Justice Center in a location that can provide resources not only to residents of the West Side of Chicago, but also to residents of Oak Park and other neighboring western suburbs,” Alvarez said. “Residents now have a tangible place in the community where they can interact with our attorneys and staff to problem-solve and work together to prevent crime in our neighborhoods before it occurs.”
    Assistant State’s Attorneys and a Community Outreach Coordinator assigned to the Community Justice Center will work closely on the prosecution and prevention of local crime with police districts, community groups, schools, businesses, and area residents. Crime victims can utilize the resources of the Center to access ongoing court information and to obtain the additional services of the State’s Attorney’s Victim Witness Unit. The State’s Attorney’s office will also coordinate informational seminars and host crime prevention meetings at the location.
    Additionally, a specially trained prosecutor from the Mortgage Fraud Investigations Unit will work at the Center to assist local residents affected by mortgage fraud, conducting proactive mortgage fraud investigations and coordinating takedowns of corrupt appraisers and brokers.
    For more information on the services available at the Community Justice Center, call 708/386-7301.