Eileen O'Neill Burke Emerges Victorious in Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary

Former Appellate Judge Eileen O’Neill Burke secured the Democratic nomination for Cook County state’s attorney over opponent Clayton Harris III, with a narrow victory of 50.15% of the vote. Despite a close race and the possibility of unreturned mail-in ballots, O’Neill Burke's lead remained steady, prompting Harris to acknowledge the loss. The race was seen as a barometer of voters’ appetite for a tougher approach to criminal justice amid a pandemic-era increase in crimes. O’Neill Burke, considered more conservative, campaigned on being tougher on crime, while Harris emphasized balancing safety with continuing reforms.