Cook County Creates Specialized Unit to Prosecute Domestic Violence Homicides

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Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke announced the launch of a new Domestic Violence Homicide Unit to focus solely on prosecuting these cases, which saw a 15% increase in 2025 even as overall violent crime in Chicago declined. The unit will work to get more domestic violence offenders detained pre-trial and provide additional support services for victims, but faces limitations in addressing domestic cases handled in civil court.

Why it matters

Domestic violence homicides have become an increasingly urgent issue in Chicago, with one in four violent crimes in the city involving domestic violence. The new specialized unit aims to better prosecute these cases and provide more support for victims, but faces challenges in addressing the civil court system where many domestic violence cases are handled.

The details

The Domestic Violence Homicide Unit will be staffed with prosecutors focused solely on these cases. Since O'Neill Burke took office in December 2024, her office has charged 32 homicides involving domestic violence, with the majority of victims being women killed by intimate partners. The state's attorney's office is also trying to prevent deaths by requesting detention for felony domestic battery offenders at a much higher rate, from 54% to 81%. Additional support measures include the placement of a support dog at the Domestic Violence courthouse and providing 155 free Uber rides to domestic violence victims and witnesses to get to court.

• Since January, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has provided 155 free Uber rides to domestic violence victims and witnesses who need to get to court.
• Since Burke took office in December 2024, her office has charged 32 homicides involving domestic violence.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.