THE LATEST: Alvarez challengers make pitches for endorsement

CHICAGO (AP) - The latest on Chicago-area Democratic leaders' decision whether to endorse a candidate in the Cook County state's attorney's race (all times local):

9:42 a.m.

Two candidates challenging Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez have made their pitches to Chicago area Democrats in hopes of an endorsement.

Incumbent Anita Alvarez did not attend Thursday's session. She's facing scrutiny and near daily calls for her resignation since waiting a year to charge a white Chicago police officer with murder after he shot a black teenager 16 times in 2014.

The Cook County Democratic Party had initially decided to stay neutral in the March primary but decided to reopen the question.

Kim Foxx is a former chief aide to the county board president. She tells the committee that there needs to be transformation in the Cook County justice system.

Former prosecutor Donna More says she had the experience to run the office but wants the committee to stay neutral.

The party's deliberations are closed door.

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2:25 a.m.

Chicago-area Democratic leaders are set to decide whether to endorse a candidate in the Cook County state's attorney's race amid the city's ongoing police shooting scandal.

Embattled incumbent Anita Alvarez has faced almost daily calls for her resignation since waiting a year to charge a white Chicago police officer with murder after he shot a black teenager 16 times in 2014.

She faces two challengers in March's Democratic primary, and party leaders said they would stay neutral. But they have called a meeting Thursday amid signs of growing party support for Alvarez rival Kim Foxx.

Alvarez's spokesman notes the party did not support her previously and she doesn't expect it now.

Foxx, a former county board president aide, and former prosecutor Donna More will address party leaders before the vote.