Patrick Fitzgerald, US Attorney from Chicago, Is Stepping Down
Patrick Fitzgerald.
Photo courtesy of the U.S.
Attorney’s Office.
Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who oversaw the prosecutions of former Illinois Govs. George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich, announced Wednesday that he is stepping down June 30.
Fitzgerald is the longest-serving U.S. attorney in Chicago history, the Chicago Tribune reports, having served in the post for more than 10½ years.
The U.S. attorney’s office said Fitzgerald notified the White House, Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk of his decision Wednesday morning.
The office gave no reason for Fitzgerald’s departure, but said he has no immediate employment plans and intends to take the summer off before considering his next career move.
“When I was selected for this position in 2001, I said that it was one of the greatest opportunities that one could ever hope for, and I believe that even more now after having the privilege of working alongside hundreds of dedicated prosecutors and agents,” the statement quotes him as saying.
Fitzgerald has scheduled a press conference to discuss the decision Thursday morning in Chicago.
