CHICAGO – Attorney General Eric Holder has named an assistant federal prosecutor to be acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois after the resignation of Patrick Fitzgerald.

Holder announced Gary Shapiro's appointment Monday morning in Chicago. Shapiro has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the last 14 years and has four decades of experience as a federal prosecutor in Chicago. The U.S. Attorney's office says Shapiro has worked on cases involving international terrorism, public corruption and organized crime.

Fitzgerald resigned last month after 24 years as a prosecutor, during which time he brought legal action against two Illinois governors. He said he believes new blood will be healthy for the office.