FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2023
Chicago, IL – Today, the Eileen O’Neill Burke for Cook County State’s Attorney campaign announced the endorsement of Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 U.A., Automobile Mechanics’ Local 701 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 14 (IUPAT DC 14, which is made up of 13 local unions in the Chicagoland area).
“Painters District Council 14 is proud to stand with the daughter of a union member who will fight for working people as Cook County’s top prosecutor. Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke has served the public for twenty-five years with honor and distinction. We know she’ll work tirelessly on public safety problems in Cook County and turn things in the right direction,” said Joe Rinehart, Business Manager of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 14.
“Eileen O’Neill Burke recognizes both the real dangers of increasing criminal activity but also the critical need for fair jurisprudence and restorative justice. We feel the office of State’s Attorney is extraordinarily lucky to have such an experienced jurist as a candidate for its leadership. In times of critical and urgent need, Justice O’Neill Burke has the background of decades of service to assure the County a proven leader and dedicated public servant is ready to step up,” said Mark J. Grasseschi, Directing Business Representative of the Automobile Mechanics’ Local 701.
“As the daughter of a labor leader and steadfast supporter of union rights, I am incredibly proud to earn the support of the hard-working men and women of organized labor,” said Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke. “Our campaign to bring both safety and justice to the people of Cook County is gaining momentum every day because voters know we’re going to fix what’s not working in our criminal justice system.”
In addition to these new supporters, O’Neill Burke has been endorsed by the Joint Council 25 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (representing 25 local union affiliates), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 399, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 134 and 9, Chicago Journey Plumbers Local 130, and the Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 11.
Eileen O’Neill Burke’s father was a labor leader with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) which is now known as UNITE HERE. He passed away when Eileen was ten years old, and his union life insurance benefits allowed Eileen to attend college and become a lawyer.
