Mike Rock named Ogle County State's Attorney - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Mike Rock named Ogle County State's Attorney

Ogle County's latest addition to the justice system may be new to his position but it's a familiar face.

January 7th, former Ogle County State's Attorney Ben Roe stepped down to take a step up.  He's now serving the county on the bench as a judge.

Mike Rock became the interim top prosecutor.

Originally a committee recommended Thomas Suits, an attorney from Polo for the position.  A close vote sent the ad hoc committee back to the drawing board.

"We had four very qualified attorney's that had applied for this job.  It's just obvious that Mr. Rock has a very good grasp at what is needed to run the office of State's Attorney for Ogle County," said Kim Gouker.

Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker says Rock has what it takes to lead the justice system.

"He understands the cases that are before the courts now that the office is dealing with and he has a clear understanding of the entire operations of that office," said Gouker.

While he's new to the position, Rock isn't new to the court of law or to ogle county.

"Been doing criminal law since '94 in some capacity, I've prosecuted in this office for six and a half years back in the 90s," he said.

For the past two years Rock has been back in the State's Attorney's office as Ben Roe's first assistant.  Rock's job will be to chip away at a backlog of cases and bring offenders to justice quickly.

"It's something I enjoy doing.  I love serving the citizens and look forward to doing it," said Rock.

If Rock is interested in continuing as Ogle County State's Attorney he will have to run for election.  But that won't happen until November 2014 when the current term expires.