Cook County State's Attorney Criticized for Rollback of Criminal Justice Reforms

Faith leaders say Eileen O'Neill Burke's policies undermine pretrial justice and accountability

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Just over a year into her tenure, Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke is facing criticism from faith leaders for policies that appear to roll back criminal justice reforms. Despite campaigning on promises to advance equity and accountability, O'Neill Burke has implemented measures that have increased the county jail population, eliminated prosecutorial oversight of certain felony charges, and stopped disclosing a list of officers with misconduct histories.

Why it matters

The state's attorney is a powerful elected official who determines who receives leniency and who faces harsh sentences, whether law enforcement is held accountable, and how communities of color - long subjected to discriminatory policing and prosecution - are treated. Faith leaders argue O'Neill Burke's actions undermine progress made on pretrial justice, racial equity, and police accountability.

The details

O'Neill Burke announced her office would always seek pretrial detention in certain cases, regardless of individual circumstances or evidence. This has contributed to a rise in the Cook County jail population, even as crime rates have declined. She has also allowed police to file felony gun possession charges without prosecutorial review in two majority-Black neighborhoods, eliminating a legal check on evidence and investigation integrity. Additionally, O'Neill Burke has stopped disclosing a list of officers with misconduct histories, a step backward in efforts for police accountability.

  • In 2021, a diverse coalition celebrated the end of money bail with the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which took effect in 2023.
  • In the first three months of 2025, more than 6,800 people were admitted to the Cook County jail - the highest quarterly admissions since early 2020.
  • Between the first half of 2024 and 2025, O'Neill Burke's policies contributed to an additional 1,068 people being locked up in Cook County.

The players

Eileen O'Neill Burke

The Cook County State's Attorney who took office in 2025 and has implemented policies that critics say undermine criminal justice reforms.

Pastor Otis Moss

A faith leader from Trinity United Church of Christ in the Washington Heights/Roseland neighborhood who has criticized O'Neill Burke's policies.

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What they’re saying

“We need brave leaders committed to fighting policies that target the most vulnerable. The state's attorney is not currently among them.”

— Pastor Otis Moss, Faith Leader (Chicago Reader)

“Even as violence continues its downward trajectory, O'Neill Burke's actions have increased the Cook County jail's population.”

— Pastor Otis Moss, Faith Leader (Chicago Reader)

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical role of the state's attorney in shaping the criminal justice system and the impact their policies can have on communities, particularly communities of color. Faith leaders are calling on O'Neill Burke to reconsider her approach and adopt more restorative, equitable, and accountable measures.