Trump Picks Beverly Lawyer For Chicago Attorney Post

CHICAGO, IL — John Lausch, a Beverly resident and partner at the Kirkland & Ellis law firm in downtown Chicago, was selected by President Donald Trump Thursday night to be the next U.S. Attorney based in Chicago. Lausch, who still needs confirmation by the U.S. Senate, is set to replace Zachary Fardon. Fardon was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 2013 until March of this year.

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, the U.S. senators from Illinois and both Democrats, released a joint statement in support of the appointment making it likely he will be confirmed.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was another Democrat to praise the selection after it was made Thursday night.

"I want to congratulate John Lausch on his appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois," Emanuel wrote in an emailed statement to media. "John brings a strong public safety background to the office, and it is my hope that he will use the power of that office to increase the federal prosecution of gun crimes in Chicago and strengthen public safety in our communities."

Trump's selection has longstanding Chicago-area ties. A native of Joliet, Lausch currently lives in Beverly according to a DNAinfo report.

Lausch has been with the well-known Kirkland law firm since 2010. Before that, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois for more than 11 years and was a supervisor in the office from 2005-2010, his bio on the Kirkland website indicates. He is also a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School, where he teaches a seminar on "Federal Criminal Practice."

Lausch grew up in Joliet and was a standout athlete at Joliet Catholic Academy, having been the captain of the Hiltoppers' 1987 state football championship team.