Cook County State's Attorney Celebrates 15 Months of Reform

Eileen O'Neill Burke reflects on navigating the political landscape and improving office morale.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a cluttered desk with files, a laptop, and a framed photograph, conveying the weight of responsibilities for the Cook County State's Attorney.The solitary desk of Cook County's top prosecutor reflects the gravity of her role in navigating the political landscape and driving criminal justice reform.Chicago Today

Eileen O'Neill Burke, the Cook County State's Attorney, recently shared insights with the I-Team about her first 15 months in office. She acknowledged that her judicial background initially left her unprepared for the political complexities of her role, but she is dedicated to adhering strictly to legal principles and ensuring that violent criminals are kept off the streets. O'Neill Burke is proud of the positive shift in her office's morale, having reversed the trend of widespread understaffing.

Why it matters

As the head of the nation's second-largest prosecutorial office, O'Neill Burke's leadership and reform efforts have significant implications for public safety and the criminal justice system in Cook County. Her focus on training and specialized units to address emerging crime trends, such as cybercrimes and hate crimes, demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing evolving challenges.

The details

O'Neill Burke has implemented specialized training for her staff to prosecute a range of cases, including cybercrimes, crypto cases, hate crimes, and animal cruelty. She has also created a dedicated bureau to handle the increasing number of domestic violence and CTA crime cases, which she says are two areas of particular concern. Despite the challenges, O'Neill Burke has worked to improve office morale, transitioning from widespread understaffing to having a waiting list of individuals eager to join her team.

  • O'Neill Burke has been in office for 15 months as of the time of this report.

The players

Eileen O'Neill Burke

The Cook County State's Attorney, who has been in office for 15 months and is working to reform the prosecutorial office and address emerging crime trends.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am a judge by nature. Navigating the political landscape is a significant aspect of my job.”

— Eileen O'Neill Burke, Cook County State's Attorney

“Our decisions on charging and prosecution are grounded solely in the law and the facts.”

— Eileen O'Neill Burke, Cook County State's Attorney

“We have turned that around. We went from every single division being understaffed to now we have a waiting list of people who want to come work here.”

— Eileen O'Neill Burke, Cook County State's Attorney

What’s next

O'Neill Burke plans to continue her focus on specialized training and the creation of dedicated units to address emerging crime trends, as well as her efforts to improve office morale and staffing levels.

The takeaway

Eileen O'Neill Burke's first 15 months as Cook County State's Attorney have been marked by a commitment to legal principles, a proactive approach to addressing evolving crime challenges, and a focus on improving office culture and staffing. Her leadership has the potential to drive meaningful reform in the nation's second-largest prosecutorial office.