Overview

Kwame Raoul (born September 30, 1964) is an American lawyer and politician affiliated with the Democratic Party. He became the 42nd Attorney General of Illinois in 2019 after winning the nomination and general election in 2018. Before that, Raoul spent more than a decade in the state legislature, building a record on legal and judicial matters.

Legislative career

Raoul was appointed in 2004 to the Illinois Senate to fill the seat vacated by Barack Obama when Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate. He represented the 13th district from 2004 until his resignation in 2019 to assume the attorney general's office. During his time in the Senate he worked on legislation related to criminal justice, civil law and constituent services in his district.

Role as Attorney General

As the state's chief legal officer, Raoul leads the Illinois Attorney General's office in enforcing state law, representing Illinois in court, and overseeing consumer protection, civil rights enforcement and public-interest litigation. The office’s responsibilities commonly include:

  • pursuing consumer and antitrust cases;
  • investigating civil rights and public corruption matters;
  • defending state statutes and agencies in litigation;
  • coordinating with local prosecutors on criminal justice issues.

2018 election and priorities

Raoul won the Democratic nomination for Attorney General in the 2018 election and prevailed in the general election that year. In his campaign and tenure he emphasized enforcing consumer protections, addressing public health and safety challenges, and pursuing reforms aimed at fairness in the criminal justice system. His office also engages in multistate actions and coordinates with other attorneys general on regional or national matters.

Notable aspects and public profile

Raoul's rise to statewide office followed a common path from state legislator to statewide official. His appointment to the Illinois Senate after a prominent predecessor and his later election to attorney general make him a notable figure in Illinois politics. Observers note his legal background and legislative experience as shaping his approach to running the attorney general's office and setting enforcement priorities.

Further information

For additional background on his legislative work, election campaigns and the duties of the attorney general, see resources on the 2018 election and materials from the Illinois legislative and executive branches.