Prosecutor, ‘Guardian of Children’ Dies After Battle With Cancer

KANE COUNTY, IL — Debra Bree, a 20-year prosecutor with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and leader of the county’s Child Advocacy Center, died Thursday after a nearly two-year battle with colon cancer.

Bree, who grew up in Lincoln, graduated from Illinois State University before earning her law degree at the DePaul University College of Law. She joined the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office in April 2000 and was named the first chair of the Juvenile Division in January 2009.

Bree was named executive director of the Kane County Child Advocacy Center in December 2012.

In a news release announcing Bree’s death, State’s Attorney Joe McMahon paid tribute to her leadership, “legal acumen, and the passion and perspective she brought to the office.”

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“Deb was a committed prosecutor and a champion of children and victims’ rights,” McMahon said. “For 20 years, she fought against child abuse, and she brought that same tenacity, courage and determination to her health battle over the last couple of years. With her passing, she has allowed peace and comfort to take over.”

“We have lost a true guardian of children,” McMahon added.

Kane County Public Defender Rachele Conant called Bree “a fierce advocate” who was “always nothing but professional.”

“She never had an unkind thing to say and always greeted me with a smile,” Conant said. “Unfortunately, we do not get to say that about a lot of people in our lives, and for us in this office, we will remember her professionalism and her kindness always. I will truly miss working with her.”

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Bree “made a lasting impression” on those who worked in the 16th Judicial Circuit court system, Chief Judge Clint Hull said.

“No matter how we met or got to know Deb, everyone walked away with the same impression — she was an incredible prosecutor and an even better person,” Hull said.

“She was passionate about her work as the executive director of the Kane County Child Advocacy Center and invested countless hours on behalf of the children of Kane County,” he continued. “She was a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom — intelligent, prepared and charismatic. She could wow a courtroom with her passion and argument.”

Bree is survived by her husband, Joe; four children; and her parents, siblings and in-laws, according to the release.

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The Aurora Police Department on Saturday posted a tribute to Bree on its Facebook page, with Police Chief Kristen Ziman calling her a "fierce defender of justice" who was "unyielding in her mission to protect children from sexual abuse."

"She always made herself available to offer advice and guidance on all things law related," Ziman said. "But more importantly, she was an amazing human being and a friend to many of us."

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