McHenry Times

Illinois state Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) said he wants to make sure Cook County's next state's attorney will hold criminals accountable now that current State's Attorney Kim Foxx has announced that she won't seek another term.

McConchie released a statement following Foxx's announcement on May 31.

“The people of Cook County should feel a bit of relief given today’s news that Kim Foxx is not seeking re-election as Cook County State’s Attorney," McConchie said in his statement. “Over the years, her skewed philosophy of the criminal justice system has been nothing more than a slap in the face to victims and further endangered residents, businesses and visitors of Chicagoland."

McConchie accused Foxx of working far too hard at putting the rights of perpetrators ahead of those they victimize, adding, “Now is the time to ensure that the next prosecutor is committed to the rule of law and will hold criminals accountable. We need a state’s attorney who will ensure the safety and well-being of both Chicago and all of Cook County.”

NBC Chicago said Foxx's decision not to run for a third term could be linked to the struggles she faced with fundraising this go-around. Campaign finance disclosures showed that since she took office in 2021, she has only been able to raise about $9,000. More than half of that money came from a donor named Michael Sachs. While in office, Foxx had faced criticism from former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Police Department over how several high-profile cases were handled and decisions about charges coming from her office.

According to NBC Chicago, the controversy was tied to a high turnover rate in the State's Attorney's office under her watch along with staffing issues. The article noted that nearly a third of prosecutors and staff left their jobs in her office in about a year starting in 2021.