In 2010, the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project honored Mary with a Profile in Courage Award for her resignation over the Rolando Cruz case.  For details on this and other honors Mary has received, see the Services  page by clicking the Services tab above and to the right.

Mary, a married mother of three, volunteers in her community: 

serving on the Police Commission for the Village of La Grange Park;

for Community Park District of La Grange Park, coaching girls softball (pictured above with some star players and assistant coaches, picture courtesy of Lisa Carrabine);

as a member of a cook team for Beds Plus, a social service organization that provides shelter, meals, and other  services to persons in need; and

coaching volleyball for the Congress Park, Cossit, Forest Road, and Ogden intramural league in School District 102.

Together with her 13-year-old daughter, and with help from many generous families, Mary coordinated a used bike drive in LaGrange Park, LaGrange, and Western Springs in 2011.  They collected gently used bikes and donated the bikes to Our Community of Illinois (OCI), a nonprofit founded by some of Mary's colleagues at the Public Guardian's Office to assist foster children in foster care in various ways.  To provide foster children with bikes, OCI partners with West Town Bikes in Chicago, where bikes are repaired if needed.  Mary and her daughter collected and donated 40 bikes for foster children.  

Northwestern Law, 1989

Former Assistant State's Attorney, Criminal Appeals

Former Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals

Current Assistant Public Guardian, Appeals Division

Mary resigned from the Illinois Attorney General's Office rather than pursue the unjust prosecution of Rolando Cruz for the murder of Jeanine Nicarico.  Having dedicated her career to public service, Mary then went to work at Juvenile Court in Chicago representing abused and neglected children, and working on disabled adults cases for the Cook County Public Guardian.

Mary would welcome the opportunity to continue her career in public service by joining the Court.

Voters for Mary Brigid Hayes invites you to visit the Services page for more details on Mary's career in public service, and more information about her volunteer work.

Bar association evaluations and ratings, plus additional information appears on the About Us page, where you can also find campaign updates.

For details on how you can help Voters for Mary Brigid Hayes, see the About Us page.