Explore Boarding School
Choate Rosemary Hall
Deerfield Academy
The Hill School
The Hotchkiss School
The Lawrenceville School
The Loomis Chaffee School
Phillips Academy Andover
Phillips Exeter Academy
St. Paul’s School
The Taft School
Now, more than ever, we have an incredible opportunity to send a clear message to those in power. For too long, bureaucrats and career politicians have operated with impunity, putting special interests and cronyism ahead of the very communities they are supposed to serve. Our community deserves more – it deserves a legislator who truly understands and cares about our needs, our values, and our vision for the future.
This race isn’t just about choosing a candidate; it’s a chance to stand up for what’s right, to refuse the status quo, and to protest everything that’s wrong with politics today. By *writing in Joseph Severino*, you’re not just casting a vote – you’re making a powerful statement. You’re saying that you won’t accept a choice between politicians who are more concerned with their connections and profits than with the well-being of our community. This is your chance to support a candidate who shares your commitment to genuine representation, who is dedicated to serving *our* interests, and who will fight for a brighter future for all of us.
So, let’s come together and show that the strength of our community lies not in money or influence, but in our collective voice. Let’s take this race and make it a protest against the politics of the past. Write in Joe Severino, and let’s reclaim our community’s future together.
How to Vote for Joseph?
Locate Race
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Illinois 10th congressional district on the ballot. Fill In
Fill in the bubble next to Joseph Severino.
Write or Type Name
Write or type the full name Joseph Severino on the line.
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
OCTOBER 26
HALLOWEEN
DANCETACULAR 2024
WHERE: Wilmette Community Recreation Center
Calling all ghosties and ghoulies ages 4 to 7 for an afternoon of dancing, story time, and craft making, This event is from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Guests will start with some Halloweenthemed warm-ups and dances, and then read a Halloween-themed story and create a Halloween-themed craft. Participants may wear a costume (not required) that is appropriate for movement. Dance shoes are not required but welcomed. Please also bring a water bottle. Tickets are $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Registration is required. wilmettepark.org
OCTOBER 26
ENAZ BREAST CANCER
AWARENESS EVENT
WHERE: ENAZ locations
Several North Shore
ENAZ boutiques are holding a special event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fifteen percent of all proceeds will benefit the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation. There will also be a free gift with every purchase, raffle items, and small bites at all locations. Locations include Highland Park, Northfield, and Lake Forest. enaz.com
OCTOBER 26
TRUNK OR TREAT
WHERE: St. James the Less
From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., kids can wear their Halloween costumes and walk down a row of decorated cars with trunks full of treats at St. James the Less in Northfield. After collecting candy, children can color a pumpkin or enjoy a scavenger hunt.
Vote for the best costume and car decorations—winners get a gift card. Bring the whole family for festive fun. stjamestheless.org
OCTOBER 26 TO 27 MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO OPEN HOUSES
WHERE: Lake Bluff and Evanston campuses
Music Institute of Chicago will hold its open house at Grace United Methodist Church in Lake Bluff from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday and at the Evanston campus from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees can meet faculty, learn about curriculum, hear from current students, try out string, bass, wind, and percussion instruments at the musical institute petting zoo. This event is free to attend. musicinst.org
OCTOBER 27
LA CASA DE ISAAC REOPENING
WHERE: La Casa de Isaac, Highwood
Isaac Nava will unveil his newly renovated La Casa de Isaac restaurant in Highwood, featuring seating for 120 guests and a private event area. Nava’s passion for authentic Mexican fare shines through in every dish. From tacos to his signature daily specials, each bite reflects the flavors and traditions of his childhood in Guerrero, Mexico, providing a truly genuine dining experience. With this newly renovated space, La Casa de Isaac is ready to welcome guests with open arms and a refreshed menu inspired by cherished family recipes. highwoodchamber.com
NOVEMBER 1 TO 30
JANE D’ANGELO EXHIBIT
WHERE: Vivid Art Gallery
Stop at Vivid Art Gallery to see Northfield artist Jane D'Angelo's work throughout the month of November.
D'Angelo is an impres-
sionist painter whose work is defined by the beautiful combination of light and shadow. See the opening of the gallery at the First Friday event on November 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. Come spend the evening surrounded by great art from D'Angelo and the other 25 artists. vividartgallery.net
NOVEMBER 2
JAZZ & JOKES
WHERE: Lake Bluff
Recreation Center
Jazz & Jokes returns this year from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, food, and drinks all while supporting Friends of Lake Bluff Parks. Enjoy smooth jazz music, comedy and have a fun night out with friends. lakebluffparks.org
NOVEMBER 3
BEATLES & BAGELS
WHERE: K-Solo Vintage
K-Solo Vintage is celebrating the opening of its new storefront from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy laid-back vibes and where vintage meets modern. The shop will sell vintage clothing, accessories procured around the country, vinyl albums, and records from a variety of genres. Music enthusiasts will connect over turntables sampling music and perusing the vinyl displays. This new storefront will open with a community
5 and $35 at the door. clubofheartsil.com
NOVEMBER 7 TO 10 ANTIQUES + MODERNISM SHOW 2024
WHERE: The Community House
NOVEMBER 13
SEASONAL TREE WALK
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
celebration, including free nosh, contest giveaways, and live musical performances from The Beatles. ksolovintage.com
NOVEMBER 3
THE MUSIC INSTITUTE’S FALL FUNDRAISER
WHERE: Nichols Hall, Evanston
The Music Institute of Chicago presents a joyful afternoon of performances by faculty and students, beginning at 3 p.m., that will culminate in a community sing. The program features performances by members of the Music Institute’s world-class faculty, as well as selected students and ensembles from its Community Music School and Academy for gifted precollege musicians. A photo booth, meet and greet, and sweet treats for every guest follow the performance in the lobby. This event is free to attend and donations are encouraged. musicinst.org
NOVEMBER 6
“REVEL” CLUB OF HEARTS HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE
WHERE: North Shore Country Club
Enjoy this year’s Holiday Boutique from noon to 8 p.m. All net proceeds benefit North Shore Country Club’s 2024 charity partner, Lake County Haven. Early bird tickets are $25 till November
The Community House Woman’s Board is proud to present the return of its fall fundraising event in its 52nd year. This celebrated, three-day shopping event is renowned for bringing together preeminent dealers from across the United States and Europe specializing in home furnishings, fine art, and jewelry exclusively available for purchase from recognized specialists. There is a preview party on November 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The shopping days are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 9, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 10. The A+M Show is the ultimate destination for interior designers, treasure hunters, and collectors alike. All proceeds from A+M Show benefit the Community House, a 501(c)3 organization providing recreational, arts, and educational programming to people of all ages. Tickets are on sale now. mycommunityhouse.org
NOVEMBER 12
DATE NIGHT CRAFT WORKSHOP
WHERE: Wilmette Community Recreation Center
Get crafty with your significant other or fly solo at Wilmette Community Recreation Center’s 7:15 p.m. Date Night Craft Workshop. Create stuffed owls or native Illinois birds. No sewing experience needed as all steps will be guided. This program is for participants ages 16 and older. Registration is required. Tickets are $25 for residents and $31 for non-residents per person. wilmettepark.org
From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., partake in the final seasonal tree walk of the year. Enjoy a morning walk to explore the trees at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This month, participants will visit a different section of the Garden and learn about the trees unique to that area. Dress for the weather. Registration is $24 for members and $30 for non-members. chicagobotanic.org
NOVEMBER
27
LAKE FOREST SCOUTS
HOCKEY PUCKS & POMS FUNDRAISER
WHERE: Lake Forest College Scouts Hockey's Pucks & Poms kicks off the holiday break with its annual evening of games and entertainment the night before Thanksgiving. Fondly referred to as “Hockey Homecoming,” hundreds of fans pack into the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse for an action-packed evening of hockey camaraderie. Each of the three Scouts Hockey teams play back-to-back and with announcers, music, spirit wear and concessions sales. During intermission of the Varsity game, the Lake Forest High School Varsity Dance Team performs. This year Varsity and JV Gold will face off against Hinsdale at 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and JV Blue will play at 5:30 pm. This is a free event with opportunities to give to GLASA (Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association) throughout the evening, including a 50/50 raffle. scoutshockey.com
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
La Casa de Isaac Reopening
BY THOMAS CONNORS
October was a busy month for Laura Sage. On the 24th, the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation—co-founded by Laura with a small group of family and friends and established in honor of her mother—hosted “An Evening of Hope in Our Fight Against Breast Cancer” at Theater on the Lake in Lincoln Park.
This year’s event was a great success as was last year’s event that drew approximately 800 supporters and raised more than $1.2 million. Since its inception in 1985, the foundation has raised more than $45 million for breast cancer research and the education of future breast cancer researchers and doctors.
The foundation has been a defining component of Laura’s life since she was a teenager when she lost her mother to breast cancer in 1984. She served on the Junior Board for many years and assumed various leadership roles—treasurer, chair—before advancing to oversight of all daily operations as executive director. Once a new executive director is in place, she plans to devote more time to strategic initiatives.
“My strengths lie in development and fun-
draising efforts, and I’m excited to continue in that capacity,” she says. “I am eternally grateful for the smart and engaged group of people who ensure that the foundation flourishes—it’s truly a collaborative effort, not a one-woman show.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so in addition to its key fundraiser— which honored Dr. Olusimbo Ige, the new Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health—the foundation and its supporters are active on all fronts.
Last weekend, on October 13, approximately 70 Team Lynn Sage runners participated in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Then there’s Chicago’s in Good Taste, the longstanding initiative in which participating restaurants donate proceeds from designated menu items ordered throughout the month.
“A new fundraising initiative we are excited about involves a sculpture that lives on Michigan Avenue,” relates Laura. “We commissioned local artist Matthew Hoffman to create a larger-than-life work around the word ‘hope’ that honors the one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m currently looking for donors who’d like naming opportunities. It’s a lovely way to honor or memorialize someone who has been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate support for our cause.”
Behind the scenes, staff and board members ensure that funded doctors submit progress reports that can be shared with donors. The foundation funds scholars, researchers, and fellows each year.
“What I’m most proud of,” says Laura, “is the Lynn Sage Scholar Awards provided to young researchers within the first seven years of their career and the Lynn Sage Research Awards funding novel and potentially groundbreaking theories by more experienced practitioners. Our seed funding promotes innovation and the data collection necessary to secure larger investments by government agencies such as the National Institutes for Health and the Department of Defense.”
Earlier this year, the foundation established the Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium, bringing together the UChicago,
Northwestern Medicine, and RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center to collaborate on breast cancer clinical trials.
“Patients don’t have to switch their doctors to start a trial, and trials will be offered at facilities throughout Chicago including North Shore locations,” notes Laura. “We’ve allocated 20 percent of our budget specifically to ensure that a diverse group of patients can access these advanced treatments. Practical matters like childcare, transportation, and missing work often prevent patients from receiving the care they need. Our goal is to reduce barriers as much as possible. We are committed to funding the Consortium for at least the next five years.”
When Laura’s mother got sick, cancer was still the silent sickness, something people whispered about. Thankfully, that is no longer the case, and the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation—one of the nation’s leading breast cancer research and education organizations—has been instrumental in changing hearts and minds. Still, the challenge remains.
“Regrettably, most people end up being affected by breast cancer,” says Laura. “Either they get sick or know someone who does. This pervasiveness keeps people aware and empathetic to our mission to eradicate breast cancer.”
For more information, visit lynnsage.org.
Hope sculpture by local artist Matthew Hoffman that will live on Michigan Avenue.
“KAREN
MASON IS ONE OF A KIND.
She is incredible at what she does. She effortlessly melds her cutting edge knowledge of real estate with intuition, grit, and the keen ability to guide you to your perfect spot. She helped our family find our dream home in record time and in an extremely competitive market. There is no way we would have found our home without her. She deeply cares about her clients and the work she is doing. We are so grateful our paths crossed. Karen is simply the best!”
– JF
#HASHTAG
EDITED BY MORGAN HOGERTY ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
Currently I’m reading Wish You Happy Forever: What China’s Orphans Taught Me About Moving Mountains by Jenny Bowen. It’s a beautiful memoir that chronicles her efforts to improve the lives of orphaned children in China through her organization, Half the Sky Foundation, now renamed OneSky. The book offers an inspiring look at how dedication and compassion can lead to significant social change. As an adoptive parent myself, I found her story inspiring and well written.
#ON MY MOBILE
When I have time to browse, I enjoy following home decor and fashion. Only on The Avenue is one of my favorite sites. Their tablescapes are always fun to skim through for inspiration, and they have some cute, curated clothing options. I also find M + M Interior Design’s Instagram page (@m_m_interior_design) to be amazing. These two sisters have an eye for mixing old with new, and I love their vision.
#IN MY EARBUDS
I’m a concert junkie, and music is constantly playing in our home. Right now, I’m loving Teddy Swims, MUNA, and The 1975. I recently started the podcast Time Crisis with Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig. It’s a fun mix of cultural commentary and cool music picks. So far, my favorite episodes feature Bob Weir and Rashida Jones. It’s a laid-back, witty, and entertaining listen, even if you don’t know the band.
Before settling in Winnetka, KELLY LASZLO dedicated her career to education and taught in Chicago. This experience honed her leadership and mentoring skills and instilled a commitment to community service and bettering young lives. This year, she is helping to plan the North Shore Board of the Northwestern Settlement’s November 9 gala supporting the beloved House In The Wood camp in Delavan, Wisconsin. The camp offers children from Chicago’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods a chance to experience life-changing outdoor adventures. Campers can participate in hiking, canoeing, and environmental education while building confidence, fostering teamwork, and developing a love of nature. Laszlo’s philanthropic efforts extend to The Woman’s Board of the Community House Winnetka, supporting a variety of local programs, including co-chairing the 2025 Home Tour. Additionally, she is a member of Gift of Adoption, an organization that helps provide financial assistance to hopeful adoptive families. Laszlo balances all these commitments with raising her two young daughters, proving the adage “if you want something done, ask a busy person.”
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ZUCCHINI, BACON, AND GRUYÈRE QUICHE
MAKES 6 - 8 MAIN COURSE SERVINGS
ACTIVE TIME: 20 MINS / TOTAL TIME: 50 MIN (NOT INCLUDING COOLING)
INGREDIENTS
• 1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie dough round (from a 15-oz package)
• 1/4 lb sliced bacon, coarsely chopped
• 2 medium zucchini (3/4 lb total), halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
METHOD
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 large eggs
• 2 oz Gruyère, coarsely grated (1 cup)
• Special equipment: a 9 1/2-inch deepdish pie plate
1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450 degrees. 2. Fit pie dough into pie plate and lightly prick all over. Bake according to package instructions, then transfer crust in pie plate to a rack. 3. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees 4. While crust bakes, cook bacon in a 12-inch, heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just crisp, about 6 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate, reserving fat in skillet. 5. Add zucchini and 1/4 teaspoon salt to fat in skillet and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until zucchini is tender and starting to brown, about 5 minutes, then transfer with slotted spoon to a plate. 6. Heat cream, milk, pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a 1- to 2-quart saucepan until mixture reaches a bare simmer, then remove from heat. 7. Whisk together eggs in a large heatproof bowl, then gradually whisk in hot cream mixture until combined. Stir in bacon, zucchini, and cheese and pour into piecrust. Bake until filling is just set, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer quiche in pan to rack to cool slightly, about 20 minutes.
Tom Fishwick
BY
PET CARE WITH HEART
Family-owned animal hospital serves pets and pet owners with personalized compassion.
Highland Park resident Julie Kim’s dog is usually a cheerful little fluff of a pup, with eyes so big, it was named Youngshim, after a Korean cartoon character. So, when Youngshim stopped eating and grew very lethargic, Kim knew something was wrong. As symptoms quickly worsened, she rushed the pup to one vet, only to be turned away for lack of an appointment.
“Thankfully, they referred me to Pets4Life Animal Hospital and I went right over,” says Kim. “The team at Pets4Life was so great—professional, kind, caring. They did the testing, found out what was wrong and got her right into surgery.”
Even more reassuring, “They knew how sad I was, thinking I was going to lose my dog, so, they texted me throughout the procedure, letting me know each step of her progress,” says Kim. “It may seem like nothing, but they knew how worried I was, and those updates helped me to feel relief.”
Pausing, she reflects, “There is a lot of love for both the animals and their owners at Pets4Life. You can just feel the warmth.”
Meeting at Pets4Life Animal Hospital with Dr. Gabrielle “Gabby” Saguil Federle DVM on a recent Tuesday, Federle was just finishing a follow-up call with the Kims. “Youngshim is doing just fine,” Dr. Federle tells me, smiling, “She is happy, eating well, and jumping. That’s what we like to see.”
The emergency procedure on little Youngshim was one of two surgeries Dr. Federle and her team had that day. The surgeries were followed by appointments with another eight clients: one, a wellness check, another a splint change for a dog with a broken paw, and another, blood work on a dog with an auto-immune disease. All of that plus several post-surgery visits. “No two days are ever alike,” says Dr. Federle, “and it’s challenging, but this is what I love to do.”
Dr. Federle, who shares veterinary responsibilities at Pets4Life with Chief Medical Director, Dr. Joseph DeSa DVM, says she knew she wanted to be a vet from the time she was 5 years old. “My father was an MD working at a big hospital, and my mom, a DMD. I was often with them on their shifts, and was always fascinated with medicine and medical procedures,” she says.
Dr. Federle’s fascination with medicine was clear from a young age.
“I always had a deep connection with
animals, the plethora of pets I had growing up, and others,” she says. “I always wanted to care for them … to be a voice for animals, because they can’t speak for themselves.”
After degrees in Animal Science from Illinois State University, and veterinary studies at St. Matthews University in the Cayman Islands, Dr. Federle worked at a holistic animal hospital, hydrotherapy center for animals, and at a corporate animal hospital. When her mentor, Dr. DeSa, told her about Pets4Life, the family practice where he is a partner with owners Greg Gibson and Meg Gibson Revord, she jumped at the chance to join the team.
As general practitioners, Dr. Federle and Dr. DeSa, plus the hospital’s two veterinary
technicians, see pets for everything from vaccinations, comprehensive annual pet exams, and spaying or neutering, to teeth extractions, dislocations, and fractures. “We commonly see a lot of pets with gastrointestinal issues, eye infections, upper respiratory issues, and skin and ear infections,” says Dr. Federle.
To treat and care for all of this, Pets4Life’s state-of-the-art facility includes four exam rooms, a pharmacy to dispense medications, a diagnostic lab for in-house testing, a radiology room for x-rays, a dental space for full mouth dental radiographs and cleanings, a surgery suite, and a comfort room for cases that require more privacy.
In working with pet owners, one of the
most important messages Dr. Federle and her team communicate is the importance of annual physical exams.
“We recommend an annual checkup with vaccinations, a full physical exam, and blood work for screening of diseases and intestinal parasites,” says Dr. Federle.
She also stresses the benefits of preventative health care measures. Things like regularly brushing teeth, making sure pets receive proper heartworm, flea, and tick prevention medications, and making sure pets are well groomed.
“We also see a lot of dogs that go swimming and end up with ear infections. So, if you let your dog go for a swim, be sure to use an ear cleaner afterward that has a drying agent,” she advises.
An issue that is often under-the-radar for pet owners is that dogs are as allergy-prone as humans. “A lot of owners may not realize it, but many dogs have allergies,” says Dr. Federle. “Pet allergies don’t always look as obvious as allergies in humans. Symptoms to watch for in your pets include watering eyes, coughing or sneezing episodes, shaking and repetitively scratching the ears, or licking or biting anywhere on the body.”
One of the most sensitive pet care services Pets4Life provides is euthanasia at the end of a pet’s life. “It is very bittersweet,” says Dr. Federle “In many cases we, as their doctors, have seen pets since they were babies. We form bonds with the owners and witness the bond and love they share with their own pets. The last gift we can give pets is a peaceful release, with a big thank you for the time they blessed us with.”
To help owners along the path of caring for their pets beyond vet care, Pets4Life also offers grooming and pet-spa services, vet-recommended health and retail products, plus training and pet education events. And the facility’s bright and cheery reception area is filled with all manner of pet themed toys and merchandise.
“Here, we take a very personalized approach to caring for pets,” Dr. Federle sums. “Doing a lot of follow-up visits and calls and keeping an open line of communication if pet owners just want to talk through something. Each of us are pet owners ourselves, so we understand that a pet is a family member. We do our very best to express empathy and compassion, treating others’ pets as if they are our family as well.”
For more information on Pets4Life Animal Hospital and pet care center, visit pets4.com.
MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Dr. Gabby Saguil Federle and Dr. Joseph DeSa with one of their patients.
Photography by Monica Kass Rogers
COMPASSION PROJECT
A perpetual concern for victims without a voice is one reason Deerfield native Mary Cole decided to run for the office of Lake County State’s Attorney.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
If showing compassion were a statistic, Mary Cole—an attorney, a former Lake County assistant state’s attorney, and the Republican candidate running for Lake County State’s Attorney—continues to bat a prodigious 1.000.
“I’ll never forget what (former Lake County State’s Attorney and current judge) Mike Nerheim told me when we worked together,” says Cole, who grew up in Deerfield and lives in Lake Bluff. “He said, ‘The moment you lose compassion for others is the moment you should leave this profession.’
“I’ll never lose compassion for others. Never. I want to give victims of crime a voice. My fierceness in the field of law comes from my compassion.”
Democratic challenger Eric Rinehart defeated Nerheim in the 2020 Lake County State’s Attorney election and is running for reelection. Cole left the Rinehart administration in 2021 when she was deeply concerned about the direction of the office.
“Mike Nerheim planted the seed in my head to consider running for the position before I left,” says Cole, Lake County’s assistant state’s attorney from 2019-2021. “He told me, ‘You’re a natural leader with plenty of fire to serve effectively and the right way.’”
Cole’s first job as a teen—not counting the first one her mother, Mimi, made her complete at home—was that of “soda fountain girl who also sold lottery tickets” at Lindemann’s Pharmacy in Deerfield.
“That job was my freedom-from-Mom job,” Cole cracks, adding Mom—the owner of Mimi Cole Designer, Ltd., in Deerfield since 1998—is “a tough cookie” and “the most inspirational” person in her life.
Born in Thailand after her grandparents had fled Communist China, Mimi suffered from polio and typhoid fever and was
refused education once she reached the fourth grade. At the age of 30, she received a one-way plane ticket to the United States from her brother.
Mimi married Lake County native David Keith Cole and the couple raised Mary and older brother David, who doubles as Mary’s best friend.
“My mother makes drapery,” Mary Cole says. “She can make anything, really. You look at what she’s made of herself, owning a business for as long as she has, and that, right there, shows how important vocational education is.
“I got my courage from my mother.”
Cole’s favorite teacher at Deerfield High School was chem istry/physics instructor Mr. Chung, who one day stepped away from the chalkboard and beakers and microscopes and played the guitar while singing
us to take what we do seriously but to never take ourselves too seriously.”
At Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Cole started as a philosophy major and ended up as a paralegal major. On campus, she was a victim of domestic abuse, prompting her encounter with the criminal justice system for the first time. The experience gave Cole a unique perspective on the importance of prosecutors treating victims of crime with dignity and respect and reinforced why she chose a career in practicing law.
Before finishing college, Cole worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence. After SIU, she became a judicial
“I never, ever thought I’d be a defense attorney,” says Cole, who has partnered with Patrick Brady at Brady Cole Trial Lawyers in Gurnee since 2022. “But I’m glad I was because the experience gave me balance and perspective and a better understanding of our criminal justice system, which is built on virtue and stands on justice, fairness, and equality.”
Among Cole’s principal goals in her campaign platform are securing the safety of neighborhoods and ensuring that criminals who should remain in prison actually stay behind bars; working hand in hand with all community organizations, nonprofits, and faith-based groups to ensure Lake County becomes safer for everyone; and spotlighting job training as a way to combat boredom and thereby reduce crimes committed by juveniles.
“Once you get that first job, it’s easier to get that second one, right?” Cole says. “Training provides wonderful job opportunities, and jobs keep kids on productive paths and out of trouble.”
Cole was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, as well as a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 recipient.
Top of Cole’s mind lately?
A certain date.
“I’m ready, so ready for it,” Cole says of the arrival of Election Day on November 5. “It’s been one and a half years of campaigning. I’d feared I would lose my sense of self during this journey, but I haven’t; I feel concrete about the person I am and the values I’d espouse as Lake County’s state’s attorney.
John Conatser
Jennifer
Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” for his wide-eyed, enthralled students.
“Cool teacher,” Cole, a 2002 DHS graduate, recalls. “He got kids engaged in the classroom; you don’t forget a teacher like that. He also was the teacher who told
CONTRIBUTING
Michelle Crowe, Erin Donaldson, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Megan Weisberg
FOOD EDITOR
paralegal, helping judges in Lake County.
A graduate of John Marshall Law School, Cole passed the bar exam and worked as a prosecutor and a public defender (for two and a half years) before her tenure as Lake County assistant state’s attorney.
Monica Kass Rogers CONTRIBUTING
Thomas Connors, Morgan Hogerty, Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean
“I want to return to that office and thrive without any political influences. I loved doing the grunt work when I served under Mike because I know how valuable it is. I like trials, where the action is, where you get to argue cases and help shape things.”
For more information about Mary Cole and her reasons for running for Lake County State’s Attorney, visit maryforlakecounty.com.
Mary Cole
