The three candidates for the Democratic nomination to oppose incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk had their first informal debate Monday. It grew contentious over the issue of Laquan McDonald’s death and prosecuting police officers.
The Chicago Tribune editorial board asked the candidates if the federal government should investigate practices at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
Andrea Zopp and Napoleon Harris are both African-American, and Zopp accused Harris of not leading on the topic of criminal justice in the black community.
"On this particular issue, Laquan McDonald, what did you do?" Zopp asked.
Harris said if Zopp wants to address the problems surrounding police shootings, she’s in the wrong race: She should be running for State’s Attorney.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth didn’t get involved in that back-and-forth. Instead, she talked about stricter gun laws and criticized for-profit prisons -- none of which are in Illinois.