Gregory K. Harris, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, has taken a reflective step by submitting his resignation to President Joe Biden, effective on Thursday. This departure marks the culmination of over three decades of legal service within the federal government.
In his announcement, which comes after a tenure filled with significant legal victories and efforts in bettering the Central District of Illinois, Harris extended his thanks to Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin. They supported his nomination by President Biden—a nomination that led to him becoming the first Black U.S. Attorney in the district. According to the Justice Department's statement, Harris reminisced, "Serving as United States Attorney after more than thirty years with the office has been the honor of a lifetime."
Harris's career highlights include his appointment to the Attorney General’s Advisory Commission by Merrick Garland and receiving the Department of Justice’s prestigious Director’s Award in 2018. Under his leadership, his office successfully prosecuted a spectrum of criminal activities, from gun violence to financial fraud. Significant among these were the cases against Illinois correctional officers in the death of inmate Larry Earvin and the prosecution of former Illinois State Senator Sam McCann for mishandling campaign funds.
Notable for his focus on human trafficking, Harris's office set a precedent when it successfully prosecuted a forced labor case resulting in a life sentence under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act—a first in over a decade. His office did not relent in pursuing justice across a gamut of criminal acts, including the convictions of two men for a violent spree of armed robberies in the Quad Cities. One of the office’s ongoing efforts involves prosecuting cases linked to prostitution businesses disguised as massage parlors in Springfield.
To protect society's most vulnerable and provide restitution for victims of crime, Harris's office has also made strides in civil fraud actions. A notable achievement was when they reached a $12.5 million settlement with a Southern Illinois hospital tied to the overbilling of federal healthcare programs. "Every day individuals in our Office go to work to make the Central District of Illinois safer," Harris told the Justice Department.
Harris's career began after obtaining his J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and has spanned several prestigious roles. He leaves behind a legacy of not only legal achievements but also of community dedication and the pursuit of justice in the Central District of Illinois. His resignation signals the end of an era for a respected U.S. Attorney whose work has undeniably shaped the judicial landscape.
