State’s Attorney Burke's Policies Lead to Doubling of Prison Sentences for Retail Theft
A recent report by the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts has highlighted a significant increase in prison sentences for retail theft under the leadership of Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. The report, titled '500 days forward, 10 years back,' indicates that the percentage of retail theft cases charged as felonies rose to 36% in 2025, compared to 18% in previous years. Additionally, the proportion of these cases resulting in prison sentences increased to 7% in 2025 from 3% the previous year. The report criticizes Burke's policies as a return to 'tough-on-crime' approaches, contrasting with her predecessor Kim Foxx's more progressive stance. Burke's office has defended its policies, emphasizing a focus on public safety and gun violence. The report calls for the Illinois General Assembly to raise the threshold for felony retail theft charges, currently set at $300, one of the lowest in the nation. 
