UIC Law Honors Alum and “Hometown Hero”
Saluting Major Joe Cook Heading link
In commemoration of Veterans Day, UIC Law is proud to honor law school alumnus Major Joe Cook (JD ‘06). Major Cook currently serves as a Major in the United States Air Force JAG Corps and is assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Major Cook has made significant strides in both the military and the legal industry.
Major Cook’s military highlights include:
- 12 years in the United States Air Force JAG Corps, all in the Air National Guard
- 7 years in the Illinois Air National Guard, serving at the 183d Fighter Wing in Springfield, IL as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate and as the Staff Judge Advocate, and also for two years as the Statewide Area Defense Counsel
- 5 years in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, serving at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, WI as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate and also now currently as the Statewide Area Defense Counsel
As a civilian, Major Cook served:
- 7 years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney (1 year in Criminal Appeals, 3 years in the Narcotics Special Prosecutions Bureau, 3 years in the Gang Crimes Prosecution Unit)
- 12 years as a staff attorney for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
During his time in law school, Major Cook was a recipient of the Lucy Sprague Scholarship Award in Public Interest and the Elmer Kissane Scholarship Award. Post law school and after passing the IL Bar Exam, Major Cook joined the CCSAO where he gained trial experience combating and prosecuting gun and gang-related crimes, an issue he is still committed to improving to this day.
Major Cook was recently named a “Hometown Hero” by the Chicago Wolves for his active civic engagement and his military service. He currently works as a Principal Attorney for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago where he represents and defends the MWRD in a variety of legal matters.
We salute you, Major Cook.