State’s Attorney Elections

What is a State’s Attorney?

A State’s Attorney, often referred to as a district attorney or prosecutor, is the chief legal officer for a county or judicial district.

Their duties include:

• Prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the state (ranging from misdemeanors to felonies), providing legal advice to county officials and law enforcement agencies, and supporting victims of crimes throughout the legal process.
• representing the state in criminal proceedings, from initial charges through trial and appeals.
• reviewing evidence provided by law enforcement agencies to determine whether there is sufficient basis to file criminal charges against individuals.

Who’s on the ballot?

Eileen O’Neill Burke (D)

Robert W. Fioretti (R)

Andrew Charles Kopinski (Libertarian)

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Chicago board of elections contact information

69 West Washington Street
Suites 600/800
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 269-7900

Election day is Tuesday, November 5th!

“With my experience, sound judgment, and commitment to fairness, I am well-equipped to exercise discretion responsibly under the Pre-trial Fairness Act, ensuring the safety of our communities and upholding fairness in the criminal justice system.”

“The notion that violent criminals can be allowed to walk the streets in search of their next victim while awaiting trial for their previous violent crimes is a slap in the face of law-abiding citizens and the victims of their crimes. These violent criminals are literally laughing at those who passed this insane law.” (WTTW Voter Guide)

“Detention would be requested for violent crimes and serious property crimes.”

“I am dedicated to the pursuit of justice as I have been my entire career. If our community does not trust that our office is upholding justice, then they won’t work with us to keep people safe. I will maintain a conviction integrity unit that works closely with our training curriculum to ensure that all cases going forward and cases that were under our jurisdiction in the past are held to the highest standards in the country. Conviction Integrity, Post-Conviction, and Appeals should be placed together in one division so that they can combine efforts, resources, and personnel in the most efficient and effective way.”

“I will be the tough but fair prosecutor we need. The solution to preventing innocent people from going to jail is to do a thorough and effective job as the County’s prosecutor. The solution is to support, not undermine the mission, which is to protect the people of Cook County. The cycle must be broken, and the rule of law must be reestablished at all levels of our society. Enough is enough.” (The Southland Journal)

“We will continue the work of this unit. The goal has to be ‘justice’.” Convicting innocent people of crimes they did not commit is a wrong that cannot be allowed to stand.”

“The Felony Retail Theft statute has the value of goods at $300. If there is public sentiment to change the law, then the appropriate avenue to do so is to go to Springfield and change the law. That being said, that doesn’t mean that everyone charged with Retail Theft should go to jail. There are a wide variety of options available depending on the circumstances of the offense and the background of the offender. If someone has no background, they go to theft school and don’t get arrested again during a period of a few months, the offense is gone and does not impact their record. There is a gradation of penalties going from supervision, to probation to jail time. I can no more refuse to prosecute based on existing law than I would be able to refuse to prosecute someone who committed an act of terrorism against an abortion clinic or a corporation that polluted the environment.”

“No, ABSOLUTELY NOT! Foxx’s ill-advised decision to ignore the law has been an unmitigated disaster for business owners, particularly in poor communities. It is literally impossible for mom-and-pop stores in African-American and Latino communities to keep their doors open if the State’s Attorney announces publicly that their merchandise is free game for shoplifters.” (WTTW Voter Guide)

“My administration will revert to the lower threshold. Property crime is increasing at an alarming rate in Cook County, It is up to the state legislature to change the threshold.”

“Public safety affects everyone, communities with less wealth and status face additional hurdles in having the appropriate amount of resources dedicated to their protection and to addressing waves of crime targeting them. I want to reshape the office so that it is recruiting lawyers from all over the country to work in an innovative office that tackles violent crime and works to combat the root causes of crime like poverty and historic disinvestment in communities through a newly fashioned restorative justice bureau. To reduce recidivism for both adults and juveniles, we must take a thoughtful approach to restorative justice in juvenile, veterans, drug, and mental health courts, where many repeat offenders come from. By combining these courts, attorneys in our office will interact with government agencies to find solutions that work for getting people on track. While getting low-level crime handled through treatment and root cause-focused programming must be a priority, we also have to go after violent crime. By doing this two-fold approach we will have a direct benefit to communities that experience the vast majority of crime.”

“From day one, Kim Foxx has coddled violent criminals as if they were all Jussie Smollett. That will end on day one of my Administration. I will reverse Foxx’s disastrous policy of ignoring shoplifting, which has literally driven numerous Cook County businesses to close their doors forever. I will treat the possession of illegal guns as the serious crime that it is. If we are serious about getting guns off the street, we MUST get those that possess and brandish them off the street.” (WTTW Voter Guide)

“The state’s attorney’s office can recommend and promote policies that address the root causes of violence and help prevent harm before it happens. Programs that promote economic opportunity and positive youth oriented programs should be among them.”

“Recognizing the rise in gun possession with auto switches and extended magazines, especially amid mass shootings, we will leverage Illinois’ Assault Weapons ban to send a clear message that such weapons will not be tolerated. This involves seeking detention and advocating for maximum penalties for individuals found in possession of these weapons with these enhancements. Rather than relying on racially targeted traffic stops, my focus is on strategic collaboration, effective prosecution, and a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of gun violence in our community.”

“The State’s Attorney has a duty to make sure every resident of Cook County is treated equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, what zip code they are from, or who they love. It is how I conducted myself as Alderman in the City Council and it is how I will conduct myself as State’s Attorney… There will be no racial disparities in my Administration. Everyone will be treated equally under the law.” (ACLU Illinois)

“Gun violence can be reduced by effectively prosecuting gun related criminal offenses.”