Race for Chicago-area prosecutor seat features tough-on-crime judge, lawyer with Democratic backing

CHICAGO (AP) — An open seat to lead the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office has become one of the most spirited races in the Illinois primary with a Democratic matchup between a tough-on-crime judge and an attorney with union and establishment backing.

The Cook County state’s attorney primary features Eileen O’Neill Burke, a former appellate judge with a large campaign war chest, versus Clayton Harris III, a professor and former prosecutor who’s held government posts.

The race is the latest example of how the legacy of progressive Democrats who swept into big city prosecutor offices over the past decade has fractured. Some, including in Los Angeles, face tough reelection bids with blame on progressive policies for perceptions that cities are less safe. Others have resigned or face possible impeachment.

In Chicago, Democrats hoping to replace outgoing State’s Attorney Kim Foxx are walking a line, saying they’ll uphold some of her progressive policies while also being critical of her tenure.

“We should be booming, and we’re not because of crime,” said O’Neill Burke, who’s more openly critical of Foxx. “This is something we can fix.”

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> A CDC team joins the response to 8 measles cases in a Chicago shelter for migrants </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> President Joe Biden has won enough delegates to clinch the 2024 Democratic nomination </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»>