WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderKurlinkus Named Deputy State's Attorney

Kurlinkus Named Deputy State's Attorney

By Samantha Ptashkin

WINNEBAGO COUNTY - Winnebago county State's Attorney Joe Bruscato appoints a new member of his team and it's a familiar name. David Kurlinkus is the new Deputy State's Attorney of the Civil Division. Bill Emmert used to hold the position. He's now the assistant deputy state's attorney.

Earlier this month Bruscato fired five people, including the first deputy and deputy state's attorney for the criminal division. Kurlinkus will head up the civil division. He may be new to this office, but he's no stranger to the community. Bruscato says it's Kurlinkus's education, legal experience and community involvement that put his name at the top of the list for this job. "Dave's experience in that area, as well as fresh ideas for this county was very important to us."

Kurlinkus, who taught at Jefferson High School for 15 years and who currently serves as Hononegah's School Board President, will work closely with Emmert, who had this job when Bruscato was elected state's attorney. Bruscato hopes Kurlinkus will bring fresh ideas to the office. "Hopefully I can bring a perspective from not having been here, maybe suggest some things that can be done differently," Kurlinkus said.

"I think when you bring in somebody new you always want to have the history available to you so that you know where you've been and I think it's very instructive of where you'll go in the future," Bruscato said.

Kurlinkus says once he joins the office January 12, one of his goals includes making sure the civil division provides legal counsel to county board committees.