Eileen O'Neill Burke sworn in as Cook County state's attorney
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Eileen O'Neill Burke has experienced all sides of the courtroom.
She brings with her more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, circuit court judge and most recently, an appellate court judge.
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Upon taking the oath as Cook County's new state's attorney, O'Neill Burke says it is time to hold criminals accountable. In her first policy change, the office will seek pre-trial detention for the highest classes of violent crimes, including the possession of assault weapons and extended magazines.
"We are treating the possession of these weapons with the seriousness they demand, and we will seek detention and jail time every time," O'Neill Burke said.
Under the SAFE-T Act, prosecutors must file a petition to keep an offender in jail. O'Neill Burke says besides assault weapons, she will seek detention for all murder or Class X felony offenses, a felony offense committed on public transportation, domestic violence related crimes used with a weapon, sex offenses involving an adult and victims under the age of 13 and all child pornography cases.
"We are going to aim very high, and we are going to work tirelessly to make sure that the vision of a safer Cook County, becomes a reality," O'Neill Burke said.
O'Neill Burke's supporters, including former State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, say Cook County residents have not felt safe under O'Neill Burke's predecessor, Kim Foxx.
"I think she has the ability to turn things around, I think we have seen too much crime go unpunished during this past eight years," Alvarez said.
Keeping violent offenders in jail is a strategy used by DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin.
"When you prosecute crime and hold criminals responsible, it's effective. It's an effective strategy at reducing crime," Berlin said.
Besides Berlin and Alvarez, former Mayors Richard M. Daley and Lori Lightfoot attended Monday's ceremony.
Foxx was invited to the ceremony but did not come. Neither did Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Although, she briefly made an appearance at reception following the ceremony.
