Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993-1997 is also an alumna. State legislators outside of Illinois who graduated from NIU's College of Law include Holly Grange, Michael D. Smigiel Sr., and John Olumba. Local politicians Alderman Howard Brookins, former Alderman Robert Fioretti and former Clerk James Laski all graduated from the College of Law, the latter two graduated together in the Class of 1978. As of 2017, thirteen of the 102 elected Illinois State's Attorneys are alumni of the NIU College of Law; Brian Bower of Coles County, Mark Isaf of Edgar County, Colby Hathaway of Henderson County, John Hay of Jo Daviess County, Eric Weis of Kendall County, Karen Donnelly of LaSalle County, Randy Yedinak of Livingston County, Jennifer Watson of Macoupin County, Meeghan Lee of Mercer County, Christina Mennie of Putnam County, Stewart Umholtz of Tazewell County, James Glasgow of Will County, and Greg Minger of Woodford County. Kathleen Zellner, noted for exonerating prison inmates, graduated from the law school. Chel Diokno, founding Dean of Tañada-Diokno College of Law in the Philippines studied law at NIU College of Law and finished near the top of his class with magna cum laude honors. References External links Northern Illinois University Law schools in Illinois Educational institutions established in 1975 1975 establishments in Illinois