Winter announces candidacy for state’s attorney

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Bryan Winter

Updated: July 14, 2011 9:44AM

Attorney Bryan Winter has said he will run for Lake County state’s attorney in next year’s Republican primary.

Winter has been an attorney in Lake County for more than 26 years and is a partner in the Waukegan firm of Fuqua, Winter and Stiles Ltd. He began his legal career prosecuting municipal ordinances and DUI cases as a local prosecutor and established a litigation practice that represents a wide range of clients including individuals, corporations and municipal governments.

He is the village attorney for Gurnee and Kildeer.

“My 26 years of legal experience in private practice is an asset and I look forward to applying private sector efficiencies in case management and professional services,” Winter, a Lake Barrington resident, said. “I also plan to expand programs to prosecute elder abuse, protect children from cybercrime and prevent consumer fraud.”

This is the first time Winter has sought public office and signals that incumbent Republican Mike Waller of Waukegan may not seek re-election. Democrat Chris Kennedy of Libertyville announced for the post earlier this month.

“Although running for state’s attorney means participating in the elective process, the job of county prosecutor should be performed in a non-political manner,” Winter said. “I will bring new leadership and plans to the Office of State’s Attorney. Those plans include utilizing every proven advancement in forensic science and technology to swiftly clear the innocent and solidly convict the guilty.”

Winter grew up in Lake County, attended Waukegan public schools, graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and earned his law degree in 1984.

Winter has served in the leadership of the Illinois State Bar Association as a past member of the board of governors and as treasurer of the organization. Winter recently served as president of the Lake County Bar Association and organized the first People’s Law School program hosted by the association which provides free legal education to the public in Lake County.