FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2024
Pro-Choice Leaders Back Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke for State’s Attorney
New ads highlight O’Neill Burke’s Commitment and Plan to Protect Abortion Rights, Reveal Harris’s Anti-Choice Ties
CHICAGO – With abortion rights under attack, key pro-choice leaders support Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke for her commitment and plan to protect access to abortion and reproductive healthcare.
“Access to abortion and even IVF is under attack. I see anti-choice protesters in Chicago becoming more aggressive lately and want a State’s Attorney who will protect our rights and safety. That’s why I strongly support Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke. She will always stand up for abortion rights and as State’s Attorney will protect women’s access to the reproductive care they need,” said State Representative Margaret Croke.
O’Neill Burke launched two new ads to highlight her plan to create a first-ever Choice Protection Unit as well as Clayton Harris’s troubling ties to anti-choice Republicans.
“Choice Protection Unit” and “Anti-Choice” are running on digital platforms.
“Eileen is the only candidate ready to take on the critical fight to protect our rights on Day One. As State’s Attorney, she will create the first-ever Choice Protection Unit to defend women against rising threats and Cook County from anti-choice lawsuits. I’m troubled that Clayton Harris directed thousands of dollars to anti-choice Republicans and personally donated to an anti-abortion Republican running against a Democrat with a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. In the wake of the Dobbs decision striking down Roe v. Wade, women can’t trust him,” said 43rd Ward Democratic Committeewoman Lucy Moog.
“Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke has my vote. With 30 years in the courtroom as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and judge, Eileen has the experience to get illegal guns off our streets and keep our neighborhoods safe. And with Republicans’ continued attacks on abortion, I know she will always protect women’s reproductive freedom. There’s no better choice for Cook County than Eileen,” said Alderwoman Monique Scott.
The Choice Protection Unit will include prosecutors from every division of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) who are prepared to handle a wide variety of civil actions, municipal ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and felonies.
This will include special training for the Civil Actions Bureau defending Cook County Hospital against anti-choice lawsuits. Bond court, misdemeanor, and felony divisions will also participate in monthly training and analysis of statute and case laws that apply to possible charges from unlawful picketing, noise violations, assaults, obstruction of the public way, stalking, and terrorism.
Justice O’Neill Burke plans to work with prosecutors from other jurisdictions to understand cases and tactics being pursued outside of Cook County.
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.”
