Bernard Carey

Clarence Bernard "Bernie" Carey Jr. (December 16, 1934 – June 1, 2018) was an American politician who served as Cook County State's Attorney from 1972 through 1980. Afterwards, he would serve on the Cook County Board of Commissioners and as a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County.

A Republican, he was twice elected (in 1972 and 1976) State's Attorney in strongly Democratic Cook County, Illinois. In 1980, Carey was narrowly unseated by Democrat Richard M. Daley.

Early life and education Carey was the son of a school principal. Ogilvie had been among those that had encouraged Carey to run for the office. Hanrahan had also been facing charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice relating to these killings until being acquitted the day before the general election.

Carey ran as a reformer. Carey had pledged that he would investigate allegations of voter fraud, political corruption, kickbacks, and other crimes by the Democratic establishment of Chicago and Cook County.

Carey would receive praise for running an honest department as state's attorney. Carey was the first Republican to win multiple terms as Cook County state's attorney.

In 1980, Carey was narrowly unseated by Democrat Richard M. Daley, the son of the late Richard J. Daley.

Subsequent career In 1982, Carey ran for both as the Republican nominee for President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and a Republican nominee to be a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from suburban Cook County. He lost the race for president, but won election to be a member of the board.

In 1986, Carey made an unsuccessful run for Illinois Attorney General, replacing James T. Ryan as the Republican nominee after Ryan withdrew from the race due to domestic violence allegations. This meant that Carey had to withdraw from the race to win reelection to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, thus meaning his tenure on the board ended that December.

In May 1988, the Illinois Supreme Court would appoint Carey a judge on the Cook County Circuit Court, filling the vacancy left when George M. Marovich was appointed to the federal bench. His appointment was effective on May 5, 1988, and lasted until 1990. The constituency of the judgeship was suburban Cook County.

Death Carey died of stomach cancer on June 1, 2018, at his retirement home in Naples, Florida.

1976

1980

President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners

1982

Cook County Commissioner

1982

1986

Illinois Attorney General 1986

Circuit Court of Cook County 1990