Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross will not run for election next year. She announced through a news release Thursday that her tenure as State’s Attorney will end in December 2020.
Hite Ross did not give a reason for not running to retain the office she was appointed to last year to fill out the term of former State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato. She had worked under Bruscato for a decade. She said in her statement that her goal was to “continue the mission of the office that began with my predecessor ten years ago.” She added that that “mission will be completed” in December 2020.
Hite Ross touched on highlights of her career in the State’s Attorney’s office, including helping create the Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force. She is the first woman and the first African-American to serve as Winnebago County State’s Attorney.
Recently, her office responded to criticism by journalism groups for limiting access to the office, including requiring that questions for Hite Ross be submitted in writing before an interview.