For over thirty years as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge, Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke (Ret.) has spent her career seeking justice for the people of Cook County from every side of the courtroom.
A lifelong Democrat and fourth generation Chicagoan, Eileen stepped down from the appellate court to run for Cook County State’s Attorney because she believed that our justice system is not working for anyone.
Eileen was raised on the Northwest side by a single mother. She worked her way through school and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Eileen worked on the front lines of the justice system as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for ten years.
After a decade as a prosecutor, Eileen worked as a criminal defense attorney, where she fought for people to receive justice and fairness in court.
Justice Burke was elected to and served in the trial courts for 8 years before she was elected to the First District Appellate Court in Cook County. Justice Burke authored over 800 written decisions in both civil and criminal cases, and reviewed over 1,800 trial court decis
During her time on the bench, Justice Burke was asked every year to serve as Judicial Education Faculty member teaching both trial court and appellate court judges. Eileen served as the President of the Illinois Judges Association which represents both retired and active judges throughout Illinois.
Eileen and her husband of 34 years, John Burke, have raised 4 children. As a mom and a lifetime Chicagoan, she knows firsthand the concerns that every citizen has about crime in our community. She is dedicated to building a safer and more just Cook County.
As a prosecutor and judge, Justice O’Neill Burke is acutely aware of the awesome responsibility placed on our State’s Attorney to vigorously prosecute cases and seek justice for victims, their families, and the people of Cook County while respecting the rule of law and the civil rights of the accused.
She knows that requires thoughtful reform and restorative justice, to ensure that the system focuses on safety and fairness, not jailing people indefinitely because they are poor or mentally ill. Eileen believes we need to put resources into juvenile, veterans, drug, and mental health courts, to help people get back on the right path and build stronger, safer communities.
Above all, Eileen knows that no State’s Attorney can be successful without earning the trust of the public. She will lead an office with the highest standards of efficacy and professionalism. Justice O’Neill Burke has the unmatched experience and vision to make the office of the Cook County State’s Attorney one of the best prosecutor’s offices in the country again.
