CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx has fended off a challenge by Republican Patrick O'Brien.
Foxx had a double-digit lead over O'Brien by the end of election night Tuesday.
The Democrat took office four years ago amid public anger over the police killing of Laquan McDonald, and she has positioned herself as a reformer during her first term.
But critics, including former judge O'Brien, have said the state's attorney's office has become more tolerant of criminals at a time when violence seems to be increasing in Chicago and suburban areas.
Foxx drew scorn, too, for her office's handling of criminal charges against television actor Jussie Smollett. The "Empire" co-star allegedly staged a homophobic, racist attack on himself in early 2019 as a publicity stunt.
Foxx's office abruptly dropped charges against Smollett, but a special prosecutor later reinstated them.
Foxx has tried to characterize the well-funded O'Brien, who has run on a law-and-order platform, as a crony of the Fraternal Order of Police.
