March 20, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth Send Two Finalists for U.S. Attorney or The Northern District of Illinois to The White House

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today recommended two individuals for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois to President Joe Biden for consideration.  The two finalists are, in alphabetical order: Sergio Acosta and April Perry.

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance and input in filling this important position, and we look forward to working with you to ensure a fair and swift confirmation process after you submit a nomination to the Senate,” the Senators wrote in a letter to President Biden.

On January 19, the Senators announced that they would begin accepting applications from those interested in serving as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.  The Senators were assisted by a screening committee whose task was to review and vet candidates and advise the Senators regarding the candidates’ qualifications and fitness for the position.  The panel was chaired by the Honorable David H. Coar (Ret.), and included Alejandro Caffarelli, Michael Chu, Kevin Conway, Herschella Conyers, Edward Feldman, Betty Y. Jang, Monica L. Llorente, Laurie Mikva, Carlina Tapia-Ruano, Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) Scott, and Diana White.

In sending two candidates to the White House for consideration, the next phase of the process will begin.  The White House will now review the Senators’ recommendations.  Until a nominee is confirmed by the Senate, Morris Pasqual will continue to serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

Once the President submits a nomination to the U.S. Senate, the nominee will be reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Durbin is the Chair, and will receive a vote in the committee.  If a nomination is approved by the Judiciary Committee, the nomination will be sent to the full Senate for consideration.

The individuals’ biographies are below:

Sergio Acosta is currently a partner at Akerman, LLP in Chicago, where he has practiced since 2018.  Acosta previously served for a total of 18 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, including serving as Chief of the General Crimes Section and as the Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator from 2003-2010.  He has also served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, as the Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board and as a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP in Chicago.  He received his B.A. from DePaul University and his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.

April Perry is currently Senior Counsel for Global Investigations and Fraud and Abuse Prevention at GE Healthcare, based in Chicago.  She previously served for 12 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, including serving as the Project Safe Childhood and Violence Against Women Act Coordinator from 2010-2016 and as the Civil Rights and Hate Crimes Coordinator from 2014-2016.  She also currently serves as a Hearing Officer for the Chicago Police Board, and she has previously served as the Chief Deputy State’s Attorney and Chief Ethics Officer for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and as the General Counsel for Ubiety Technologies Inc.  She received her B.S. and her J.D. from Northwestern University, and she clerked for Judge Joel Flaum on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

 

Full text of today’s letter is here and below:

March 20, 2023

Dear Mr. President:

Earlier this year, we established a screening committee to review candidates for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.  Our screening committee carefully evaluated candidates by reviewing their professional records and application questionnaires, contacting references, and conducting interviews.   The committee has submitted recommendations to us, and we have interviewed the finalists, reviewed their records, and consulted with each other regarding their qualifications.  As a result of this process, we submit the following individuals for your consideration, in alphabetical order:

            Sergio Acosta

            April Perry

We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance and input in filling this important position, and we look forward to working with you to ensure a fair and swift confirmation process after you submit a nomination to the Senate.

Sincerely,

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