Burke defeated attorney Clayton Harris III, who had the backing of the party, to secure her place as the Democratic nominee. This primary race gained significant attention, being one of the most spirited and competitive contests in the March 19 Illinois primary.

The Associated Press declared Burke's victory on Friday, prompting her to express her gratitude and excitement. In a statement, she said, "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."

Following his defeat, Harris delivered a concession statement, acknowledging Burke's win and expressing his commitment to furthering the fight against crime in their communities. Harris stated, "We have more to do. We'll keep pushing for effective prosecutions of hate crimes, carjacking, armed robbery, and gun violence that plague our communities."

The primary race saw Burke leading in fundraising, attributed in part to financial support from top Republican donors. However, Harris boasted numerous endorsements, including those from labor unions, progressive groups, and establishment Democrats.

This race reflects the current divide among progressive Democrats who have taken on important positions in big city prosecutor offices over the past decade. While progressive policies have faced criticism in other cities, in the Chicago area, candidates offered both praise and criticism of outgoing State's Attorney Kim Foxx's leadership.

Burke, in her statement, emphasized the need for a fair and effective criminal justice system. She expressed the desire to prioritize removing illegal guns and assault weapons from the streets while creating safer communities. Burke's experience as both an appellate judge and a former attorney in the state's attorney's office has equipped her with the necessary qualifications for the position.

Considering Cook County's strong Democratic leaning, Burke is primarily expected to win the November election. However, she will face competition from Republican Alderman Bob Fioretti and Libertarian Andrew Charles Kopinski.

The race for Cook County state's attorney has concluded, and Eileen O'Neill Burke stands as the Democratic nominee, ready to face the upcoming challenges in the pursuit of justice for the people of Cook County.