FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2024
Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke Releases New TV and Digital Ads Highlighting the Change We Need vs. Politics As Usual
CHICAGO – Following three weeks of airing the first television ad in the race (“Justice”), today Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke released four new ads to highlight key differences between her experience and her opponent’s troubling record in the race for Cook County State’s Attorney.
A new 30-second television and digital ad called “Change” will air across broadcast, cable, and digital channels starting Tuesday, February 27. The transcript is as follows:
“Change” –
“In the race for State’s Attorney…
Politics as usual?
Or the change we need?
Clayton Harris is a political insider.
He’s an anti-union corporate lobbyist who led efforts against fair wages and workers rights.
Eileen O’Neill Burke is a former prosecutor and judge.
She’ll stem the flow of illegal guns and seek jail time for gun crimes.
She’s running for State’s Attorney because she’s committed to real change that makes us safer.
Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke.”
The change we need.
Justice O’Neill Burke is airing three additional 15-second ads across digital channels:
“Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke will always stand up for abortion rights.
As State’s Attorney, she’ll create the first-ever Choice Protection Unit, defending a woman’s freedom to access care without harassment.
For State’s Attorney – Eileen O’Neill Burke.”
“Anti-Choice” –
“Anti-Choice Clayton Harris.
As a corporate lobbyist, he directed tens of thousands of dollars to anti-choice Republicans including “the most anti-woman nominee to ever run for Illinois Governor.”
And Harris personally donated to anti-abortion Republican Ethan Hastert.
We can’t trust him. “
“Political insider Clayton Harris? Politics as usual.
He’s an anti-union corporate lobbyist who led efforts to deny workers fair wages, worksite protections, bathroom breaks and the fundamental right to form a union.
Clayton Harris. Not the change we need.”
The advertising campaign will air on all platforms through Election Day on March 19.
While serving as Chief of Staff to convicted former Governor and Trump supporter Rod Blagojevich, Clayton Harris contributed to anti-abortion radical Republican Ethan Hastert – who was running against a Democrat with a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood.
As a top anti-union, corporate lobbyist from 2020 through 2022, Clayton Harris directed
tens of thousands of dollars in political donations to anti-choice Republicans in Illinois. They even supported a candidate that a leading pro-choice group called, “the Most Anti-Woman Nominee to Ever Run for Illinois Governor.”
Despite attempts to hide his role, a recently surfaced tax form reveals that in 2022, Clayton Harris was leading a well-funded, anti-union campaign to deny workers fair wages, worksite protections like bathroom breaks, and the fundamental right to form a union. According to the 990 tax filing, Clayton Harris was the Chair and President of the “Coalition for Independent Work” campaign, where he led efforts to ensure workers were not treated as employees so they could be paid less than the minimum wage with no benefits.
With increased attacks on women’s rights and abortion providers, Eileen O’Neill Burke
will create the first-ever Choice Protection Unit (CPU) to defend a woman’s freedom to access reproductive healthcare. The CPU will be a specialized team of prosecutors trained to defend Cook County against anti-choice lawsuits and hold people who assault patients, obstruct a clinic entrance, or engage in other illegal acts accountable.
O’Neill Burke has garnered wide support from across Cook County and organized labor including:
- Congressman Mike Quigley
- Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza
- State Sen. Laura Murphy
- State Rep. Margaret Croke
- State Rep. Marty Moylan
- Assistant Majority Leader & Mayor of Evergreen Park Kelly Burke
- Alderman Pat Dowell
- Alderman Felix Cardona
- Alderman Chris Taliaferro
- Alderman Debra Silverstein
- Alderman Peter Chico
- Alderman Brian Hopkins
- Alderman Scott Waguespack
- Alderman Brendan Reilly
- Alderman Anthony Beale
- 41st Ward Democratic Committeeperson Joe Cook
- 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeperson Lucy Moog
- 44th Ward Democratic Committeeperson & Former Alderman Tom Tunney
- Mayor of Alsip John Ryan
- Mayor of Niles George D. Aplogianis
- Mayor of Merrionette Park Jose Nevarez
- Former State Rep. Julie Hamos
- Former Alderman Michele Smith
- Former Alderman Roderick Sawyer
- Former Alderman James Cappelman
- Automobile Mechanics Local 701
- Chicago Journey Plumbers Local 130 U.A.
- Firefighters Local 2
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 9
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 700
- International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150
- International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 399
- Joint Council 25 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Painters District Council 14
- Pipefitters Local 597 U.A.
- Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 U.A.
- Cook County Farm Bureau PAC
- Southland Black Chamber of Commerce
- Worth Township Democratic Organization
