FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2023
Chicago, IL – Today, the Eileen O’Neill Burke for Cook County State’s Attorney campaign released the first poll of the race showing Justice O’Neill Burke with a double-digit lead while her opponent’s record as a top corporate lobbyist who actively campaigned against fair wages for workers and their right to form a union has drawn serious concern.
Currently, O’Neill Burke leads by 12 points. Among voters who know both candidates, O’Neill Burke leads by 22 points. Once voters hear balanced information about both candidates, O’Neill Burke maintains her lead (41-34). The poll was conducted November 9-14 among 500 likely 2023 Democratic primary voters in Cook County.
The poll memo is available here.
“Whether I’m talking with voters in the city or suburbs, people are enthusiastic about our campaign to bring both safety and justice back to Cook County,” said Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke. “We need to tackle gun violence while getting after the root causes of crime, like poverty, historic disinvestment, and a revolving door that gets kids and non-violent offenders stuck in the system instead of back on their feet. The status quo isn’t working for anyone, and I’m excited to bring my three decades of legal experience and public service to fix what’s not working in our criminal justice system so every community can thrive.”
Her opponent’s role as an anti-union corporate lobbyist was the top-performing negative message of any tested in the poll, demonstrating significant vulnerability. The daughter of a labor leader and steadfast supporter of union rights, O’Neill Burke has garnered wide support from across Cook County and organized labor.
O’Neill Burke has been endorsed by Painters District Council 14 (representing 13 local Chicagoland unions), Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 U.A., Automobile Mechanics Local 701, Joint Council 25 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (representing 25 local union affiliates), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 399, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 134 and 9, Chicago Journey Plumbers Local 130, and the Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 11.
Eileen O’Neill Burke’s father was a labor leader with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) which is now known as UNITE HERE. He passed away when Eileen was ten years old, and his union life insurance benefits allowed Eileen to attend college and become a lawyer.
