Public Policy Analysis Challenge

Raised in Lake County, Illinois, Moira Mercure spent a year at the College of Lake County before transferring to Northern Illinois University, where she received her bachelor’s degree. While at NIU, she completed a year-long domestic service project with AmeriCorps serving the at-risk children of South Florida. She loved the program so much she stayed on for an extra 6 months before returning to Illinois to start law school at Southern Illinois University. 

Ms. Mercure completed several internships with the Office of the Lake County Public Defender, starting in the summer of 1996 and transitioning to her role as attorney in December 2000. Over her 24 years in the office, she has spent more than 16 years as a felony trial attorney, representing clients with a variety of criminal offenses. Five years ago, she volunteered for Specialty Courts, representing clients in the Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring programs, including Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Treatment Assistance Court.