FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2023
Justice O’Neill Burke (Illinois Appellate Court, Retired) is a Former Prosecutor, Criminal Defense Attorney, Judge, Lifelong Democrat, Fourth Generation Chicagoan, and Mother of Four
CHICAGO – Today, Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke (Illinois Appellate Court, Retired) formally announced her campaign to be the Democratic Candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney:
“At the beginning of this month, I stepped down from my position as a Justice on the Appellate Court for a simple reason: our criminal justice system is not working for this community that I love. As a former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and judge, I have spent more than thirty years seeking justice for the people of Cook County from every corner of the courtroom. I believe that my experience, sound judgment, and record of fairness can make things better at a critical time,” said Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke.
“The State’s Attorney has an awesome responsibility to vigorously prosecute cases and seek justice for victims, their families, and the people of Cook County while respecting the rule of law and the civil rights of the accused. That requires not only tackling violent crime but also a thoughtful approach to restorative justice, where we put resources into juvenile, veterans, drug, and mental health courts to help people get back on the right path and build stronger, safer communities.
“We don’t have to choose between safety or justice. We can have both with the right leadership. Above all, I know that no State’s Attorney can be successful without earning the trust of the public. I will lead an office with the highest standards of professionalism, and I look forward to sharing my vision with voters to make the office of the Cook County State’s Attorney one of the best prosecutor’s offices in the country,” O’Neill Burke concluded.
In only three weeks since stepping off the bench, Justice Burke has garnered the enthusiastic support of the local legal community. More than 150 retired judges, retired Assistant State’s Attorneys, and lawyers have joined Burke’s campaign.
