Opinion: O’Brien can defeat Kim Foxx and restore law and order

By Ray Hanania

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has created her own election uncertainty by enforcing policies that clearly undermine the rule of law.

One of her first acts in office was to undermine law and order by raising the ceiling to $1,000 on prosecuting theft.

Her next act was to decline to aggressively prosecute the segment of looters, arsonists and criminals who committed their crimes in the shadow of the Black Lives Matter protests, which sought to heighten public awareness of the threat of racism, particularly against African Americans.

Racism is a real threat. The main victims are Black. They are not the only victims, of course, but it’s difficult to unravel the ugly knot of racism by broadening the fight against all racist discrimination. Everyone faces discrimination, but Blacks face it more.

Yet, the policies and attitudes Kim Foxx embraces are not helping to undermine racial discrimination in Cook County. In fact, she is feeding it. Racism and discrimination from the backs of one people to the backs of others.

During the protests following the unjust killing of George Floyd in Minnesota on May 25, and the riots that took place in the shadow of the protests, hundreds of businesses were seriously damaged, many were completely destroyed, and worse, many innocent people were seriously injured.

As an Arab American (whose father comes from Jerusalem and mother from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus), I am sensitive to the suffering of my community. I know them. I have studied them. During those riots, 12 Arab businesses were completely destroyed by looters and arsonists in Chicago alone.

What did Kim Foxx do? Nothing. None of those destructions were investigated. No one was prosecuted or held accountable by Kim Foxx. Why? Because in the eyes of Kim Foxx, Arab Americans do not have the same rights as George Floyd.

What did Kim Foxx do about prosecuting the suspects in the destruction of the many other businesses that were also destroyed? Kim Foxx did nothing about them either.

This disparity in justice is a serious concern. The concern is not driven by racism. It is driven by a legitimate fear of crime. The vast majority of American citizens including in Cook County -- Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Arab and others -- want to live in a safe society where they don’t have to worry about becoming crime victims.

Kim Foxx doesn’t get it.

But I believe Pat O’Brien, may get it. O’Brien’s challenge isn’t that he is unqualified to be Cook County State’s Attorney. He has all the qualifications.

O’Brien’s online bio spells out a sterling law and order career. He twice worked in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, handling high-profile cases representing the State of Illinois. As a result of his dedication to serving justice, O’Brien received appointments to high-level leadership positions in the Felony Review Unit as Felony Trial Supervisor, Bureau Chief of the Criminal Division, and finally, Chief Deputy — accountable for over 700 Assistant State’s Attorneys handling criminal cases in Cook County.

O’Brien later served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General, where he supported local State’s Attorney’s Offices across the State of Illinois with major criminal cases, often working closely with the elected State’s Attorneys in each county.

That’s very impressive experience.

But as you know experience alone doesn’t win elections. O’Brien needs to appeal to the silent majority that is living in a fear in Cook County of the rising crime rate that is spreading throughout Chicago and in the suburbs.

My colleague, veteran journalist and reporter Lorraine Swanson reported recently that polling shows O’Brien narrowing the gap. O'Brien can overtake Foxx at the polls. The poll was commissioned by17th Cook County District Commissioner Sean Morrison, who represents a large swatch of Cook County voters from Schiller Park in the north to Orland Park in the South. It shows O’Brien with 33.8 percent of the vote. Foxx only has 48.1 percent which is the most significant telling factor because she is the incumbent. More than 18 percent of those surveyed say they are “undecided.”

An incumbent with under 50 percent of the vote and 18 percent undecided vote is an incumbent who can be beat.

In this election, crime is the primary issue in this election, thanks to the actions of the looters and the failed leadership of Kim Foxx.

Malls, shopping areas have become the targets of ruthless mobs. People have been attacked by the protestors simply because of their race.

After the Floyd protests, a well-known Orland Park restaurant owner was walking downtown when he was attacked and beaten on his head by a gang of thugs. He showed me the photos of his injuries. I was shocked. He was lucky to be alive. No one was arrested. Neither Foxx nor Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot held a press conference to denounce the attack.

In fact, it was just shrugged off by the people who should have taken it more seriously. Just as the looters and the arsonists are being shrugged off by Kim Foxx’s political allies. By not standing up for the rights of the vast majority of good police officers who do their jobs every day at great risk to their own lives, Foxx and her cronies have been silent suggesting they support the inexcusable demand to “defund the police.”

The rallying cry to “defund the police” is a declaration of war against law-abiding citizens. It is an assault against public safety and an unconscionable embrace of crime.

This election on November 3, is not about politics. It is not about Republicans or Democrats. It is about fighting crime and saving lives.

So far, only Pat O’Brien has shown a concern for prosecuting criminals, suppressive crime and making the public safe.

If that were the priority of Kim Foxx, her actions would show it.

(Ray Hanania is a syndicated columnist and award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter. He can be reached on his personal website at www.Hanania.com.)