(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Eileen O'Neill Burke took the oath of office and was officially sworn in as the next Cook County State’s Attorney on Monday.
A former prosecutor, law division judge, and appellate court justice O'Neill Burke takes over from Kim Foxx, who did not seek reelection.
Burke says she wants to change the way people often view Cook County.
"We are primed to boom, but we are being overshadowed by crime right now... we are becoming numb to the numbers. I don't want to become numb. I want to do something about it."
O'Neill Burke says she wants to avoid "becoming numb" to high crime numbers, starting by being hard on gun crimes.
"Starting today, we are treating the possession of these weapons with the seriousness they demand, and we will seek detention and jail time every time someone is found with those weapons," O'Neill Burke said.
She says other priorities include updating training for prosecutors and police and addressing the root causes of crime through restorative justice programs.
"Restorative justice programs offer an alternative to incarceration..., They are geared for non violent offenders, and we are going to double down and make sure we are getting as many people turned around before they turn to violent crime as possible."
O'Neill Burke says she will work hard to change the perception of Cook County.
"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."
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