Eileen O'Neill Burke wins Democratic primary for Cook County state's attorney

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Eileen O'Neill Burke has defeated Clayton Harris III in the Democratic primary race for Cook County state's attorney, the Associated Press projected on Friday afternoon.

ABC7 Political Reporter Craig Wall has learned that Harris called O'Neill Burke to concede, and his campaign manager says they will not seek a recount.

The mail-in ballot count has been closely watched by the campaigns of both candidates. But the amount of mail-in votes expected to be received before the April 2 deadline is unlikely to flip the results.

In a statement praising Harris, O'Neill Burke sought to unify Democrats, saying in part, "While we may have had our differences in this election, we share a love for our beautiful city and Cook County.'

"If I've learned one thing during this process, it's that there is so much more that unites us than what divides us," the statement continued.

"If O'Neill Burke is a smart politician, she'll reach out to Harris and his supporters and ask them to work with her. She will realize that she does not have a mandate, that this was not an overwhelming support for her agenda," said ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington.

O'Neil's Burke's razor thin path to victory was forged by voters in the suburbs, and on Chicago's Northwest and Southwest sides. Many may have been motivated by concerns about crime.

Harris, a public policy professor and former prosecutor, did well on the South and West sides, with his progressive agenda centering on criminal justice reform.

"Well, I think it tells that views on criminal justice in the city and county are very evenly divided," said David Greenberg, president and CEO of the Better Government Association.

O'Neill Burke will face Republican Bob Fioretti and libertarian Andrew Kopinski in November's general election.

O'Neill Burke's full statement:

"It was worth the wait. I am so honored to be the Democratic nominee for Cook County State's Attorney.

I'd like to congratulate Clayton Harris on a hard-fought campaign. While we may have had our differences in this election, we share a love for our beautiful city and Cook County.

If I've learned one thing during this process, it's that there is so much more that unites us than what divides us.

Across every neighborhood and every town in Cook County, people told me the same thing: we want a fair criminal justice system that works for everyone. We want a professional and effective State's Attorney's Office. We want illegal guns and assault weapons off our streets. We want less crime and safer communities, not by locking everyone up, but by turning people around.

Whether you voted for me or not, I promise to work tirelessly as your State's Attorney. I still feel the pride in my chest swell up when I remember stepping up in court as a young prosecutor and saying I was there on behalf of the People.

The State's Attorney's office has a noble mission to represent victims and uphold the law. It's a solemn obligation that I will take on with humility and dedication.

Thank you for your faith in me. Together, I know we can build a safer, stronger Cook County."

Harris' full statement:

"After months of organizing, meeting and talking with people from all across this county, and waiting for every vote to be counted, we've fallen a bit short of our goal. I want to congratulate Eileen O'Neill Burke on her victory.

"I am incredibly proud of the broad, diverse, grassroots coalition we built countywide with the vision of a criminal justice system that focuses on safety and justice. Where we keep every resident safe-no matter what neighborhood they live in, and where we do so in a just fashion.

"I said throughout this campaign that I would continue to push forward on the urgent work of criminal justice reform. That remains my commitment.

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Cook County."

Bob Fioretti also released a statement:

"I want to congratulate Eileen O'Neill Burke on a razor thin win in her primary race. We need a State's Attorney who will stand with law enforcement, rather than coddle violent criminals. The choice in November is clear: chaos and bedlam, or law and order. I am the only candidate who has promised to prosecute retail thefts as the law is written. I will end the cycle of violence and corruption that have plagued our county for too long. I will also cooperate with ICE to have violent criminal migrants removed from our streets. My opponent will never do that. Republicans, Fioretti Democrats, and Independent voters will have a voice and deliver a seismic shift in local politics and elect Bob Fioretti to the State's Attorneys office."