“The ongoing public safety crisis is the largest issue impacting the business community. Between the retail theft problem, an increase in robberies in neighborhoods across the city, and the battle against repeat offenders, persistent crime continues to harm businesses, hamper economic development opportunities, and deter new businesses from coming to Chicago.
Jack Lavin | President & CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Justice O’Neill Burke’s years of experience working in the criminal justice system, along with her plan to address the root causes of crime and tackle pressing public safety issues, especially her approach to prosecuting retail theft and gun violence, make her the best candidate to help make Chicago a better place to do business and, more importantly, a safer place for all residents. The Chamber is proud to endorse Justice O’Neill Burke for Cook County State’s Attorney.”
On Friday, March 8, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce announced our endorsement of Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s race. Based on a process that included candidate interviews, we believe that her years of experience working in the criminal justice system, along with her plan to address the root causes of crime and tackle pressing public safety issues, especially her approach to prosecuting retail theft and gun violence, make her the best candidate to help make Chicago a better place to do business and, more importantly, a safer place for all residents.
Public safety is the largest issue impacting the business community. We’ve heard time and again from members that their businesses are suffering because of persistent crime. The dramatic increase in robberies and carjackings has left employees scared to come to work, and patrons scared to come to the city. Burglaries of businesses have increased dramatically in neighborhoods across the city and the ongoing retail theft problem that has forced retailers to take the extra step of keeping the majority of their products behind glass in an effort to protect their businesses. This all has left too many businesses struggling to make ends meet and has deterred new businesses from coming to Chicago.
Historically, the Chamber has not made endorsements outside of mayoral and gubernatorial elections, but we felt the business community had a responsibility to get involved given the significance of this election and the impact the State’s Attorney will have on crime and public safety across Cook County and the Chicagoland area. After meeting with both candidates and hearing their plans to address both the immediate and long-term solutions needed to meaningfully reduce crime across Chicago and Cook County, we believe Justice O’Neill Burke’s approach will be the most effective. We are confident that Justice O’Neill Burke will work well with both CPD and our court system to protect public safety and address the root causes of crime.
Justice O’Neill Burke has spent 30 years working at every level of the criminal justice system as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and judge. Her experience makes her well-equipped to reshape the broken State’s Attorney’s Office, better recruit and retain prosecutors, and run the office effectively and efficiently. A well-staffed and well-run office is able to actually prosecute crime, especially gun crime, retail theft, burglaries, and robberies.
Most importantly, Justice O’Neill Burke has stated her commitment to upholding the law and prosecuting retail thefts of $300 and above. This stricter standard would help curb retail theft, ensure offenders are actually prosecuted, and hold repeat offenders accountable.
We’re proud to endorse Justice O’Neill Burke and encourage you to spread the word to your network to support Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke for the next Cook County State’s Attorney.