Eileen O’Neill Burke, a Democrat and retired appellate judge, won the primary election for top prosecutor in Cook County, Illinois, defeating a more liberal candidate in Clayton Harris III. Burke’s victory is viewed as a shift away from the progressive platform of current state’s attorney, Kim Foxx, who chose not to seek re-election. In November, Burke will face Republican Bob Fioretti in the general election, but Cook County is heavily Democratic, making Burke the favored candidate.
Crime is a significant issue for voters in Cook County and other cities, with shootings and homicides on the rise during the pandemic but seeing a decline in recent years. Progressive prosecutors like Kim Foxx have faced criticism for being too lenient on criminal offenders. Challenges to progressive prosecutors, such as George Gascón in Los Angeles and Chesa Boudin in San Francisco, have highlighted the contentious nature of criminal justice reform.
The campaign in Chicago was seen as a referendum on Kim Foxx’s tenure, with both Burke and Harris offering similar agendas in supporting the end of cash bail and restorative justice measures. Burke has vowed to be tougher on offenders convicted of low-level crimes and reverse some of Foxx’s policies, such as only prosecuting retail theft as a felony if the value of stolen goods exceeds $1,000. Harris praised Foxx’s achievements but also expressed a desire to chart his own course in the office.
Burke received support from the business community, including executives in finance and restaurants, while Harris had backing from the city’s labor and progressive establishment, including the Chicago Teachers Union and Cook County Democratic Party Chair Toni Preckwinkle. Both candidates highlighted their contrasting experiences, with Burke having a long career as a lawyer and judge, while Harris focused more on teaching and government work.
In the lead-up to the election, voter engagement was low, with a significant portion undecided. A poll released before the primary showed close to 60 percent of voters were undecided, while the rest were evenly split between Harris and Burke. The outcome of the election indicates a potential shift in the approach to criminal justice in Cook County, with Burke’s victory signaling a move away from Foxx’s progressive platform. The general election in November will determine if Burke’s more conservative approach resonates with the voters of the county.
