Eileen O’Neill Burke Wins Race for Cook County State’s Attorney

Incumbent Kim Foxx’s Successor

Seeking to become Cook County’s top prosecutor, Eileen O’Neill Burke told voters her depth of experience in the courts made her uniquely positioned to tackle some of the toughest issues facing the county.

After a landslide win on election night, she’ll now have to prove it.

The former judge declared victory Tuesday night from her watch party at Moe’s Cantina in River North shortly after the Associated Press called the race with more than 59% of the expected votes.

“I ran for this office because I had a stubborn belief that we could make Cook County safer and build a justice system that is fair and truly works for everyone,” O’Neill Burke said in a statement. “Together, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Election Results

As of 9:30 p.m., O’Neill Burke had 65% of the vote to Republican Bob Fioretti’s 30.6%. Libertarian candidate Andrew Kopinski trailed far behind with little more than 4%.

A Look at O’Neill Burke’s Platform

O’Neill Burke said she saw crime holding back Chicago at a time when she felt the city should be booming. She promised to tackle retail thefts by charging cases more aggressively and to use new statewide restrictions on assault weapons to go after illegal guns.

But even as O’Neill Burke ran on a platform that promised to scale back some of the policies of her progressive predecessor, Kim Foxx, she also embraced many of the positions Foxx championed, including the elimination of cash bail in Illinois and restorative justice court alternatives for some people charged with nonviolent offenses.

Criticisms and Controversies

But with touting her courtroom experience also came criticism of her work, in particular her prosecution in the ‘90s of a 10-year-old Black boy for the murder of an elderly white woman. He was later exonerated by DNA evidence.

That case led civil rights icon Jesse Jackson to endorse Fioretti and encourage Black voters to split their ballots and vote for a Republican for state’s attorney this election.

Fioretti’s Concession

Fioretti conceded the race but claimed a level of success for elevating his party.

“One thing we have established here in Cook County is that we have a new Republican Party. We have a bench. We have people ready to step up,” Fioretti said while standing in front of a large campaign sign inside the Billy Goat Tavern on Chicago’s West Side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of Eileen O’Neill Burke’s win?
A: Burke’s win marks a significant shift in Cook County politics, as she becomes the first Republican to hold the office in over three decades.

Q: What were the key issues in the election?
A: Crime, retail theft, and the use of cash bail were among the key issues in the election, with O’Neill Burke focusing on her experience in the courtroom and Fioretti touting his party’s efforts to revamp the system.

Q: What was the outcome of the election?
A: O’Neill Burke won the election with 65% of the vote, while Fioretti received 30.6% and Libertarian candidate Andrew Kopinski received 4%.

Q: What is next for Eileen O’Neill Burke?
A: As the new state’s attorney, O’Neill Burke will have to work to prove her campaign promises and work to address the issues that were raised during the election.

Q: What is next for Bob Fioretti?
A: Fioretti conceded the race, but claimed a level of success for elevating his party. He will continue to play a role in Cook County politics, but it remains to be seen what his next move will be.