Illinois Attorney General

The Illinois attorney general is the highest legal officer of the state of Illinois in the United States. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by statewide election. Based in Chicago and Springfield, the attorney general is responsible for providing legal counsel for the various state agencies, including the governor of Illinois and Illinois General Assembly, as well as conducting all legal affairs pertaining to the state.

The office of Illinois Attorney General was established on December 3, 1818, based on guidelines adopted by a state constitutional convention. The attorney general is second (behind the lieutenant governor) in the line of succession to the office of Governor of Illinois. The first person to fulfill the duties of the office was Daniel Pope Cook who only served eleven days, and was later elected to the United States Congress. Cook County was named in his honor.

The current holder of the office is Kwame Raoul.

Role Under the Constitution of Illinois, the attorney general is the state's chief legal officer, and has the powers and duties prescribed by law. The attorney general's duties include advocating for the people of Illinois, working with the General Assembly to push for new legislation, and litigating to ensure that state laws are followed. The state's Attorney General Act specifies several duties, including:

Represent the people of Illinois before the Supreme Court where the state or the people of the state are interested parties Prosecute all proceedings and actions in favor of the state Defend state officers acting in their official capacities in any actions or proceedings against them Consult with and advise the state's attorneys Investigate violations of all statutes that the attorney general has a duty to enforce Advise the governor and other state officers, and give written opinions on legal or constitutional matters when requested Give written opinions to the General Assembly or any of its committees when requested Prepare drafts of contracts in which the state is interested Attend, present evidence to, and prosecute indictments by the statewide grand jury Ensure the proper allocation of funds appropriated to public institutions, and prosecute breaches of trust The attorney general also oversees the Public Access Counselor, which is responsible for enforcing the state's Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act.

List of attorneys general Parties

# Image Name Political party Term1Daniel Pope CookDemocratic-Republican18192William MearsDemocratic-Republican1819–18213Samuel D. LockwoodDemocratic-Republican1821–18224James TurneyDemocratic-Republican1822–18295George ForquerDemocratic1829–18326James SempleDemocratic1832–18347Ninian Wirt EdwardsDemocratic1834–18358Jesse B. Thomas Jr.Democratic1835–18369Walter B. ScatesDemocratic1836–183710Usher F. LinderDemocratic1837–183811George W. OlneyDemocratic1838–183912Wickliffe KitchellDemocratic1839–184013Josiah LambornDemocratic1840–184314James A. McDougallDemocratic1843–184615David B. CampbellDemocratic1846–1848Office abolished 1848–186716Robert G. IngersollRepublican1867–186917Washington BushnellRepublican1869–187318James K. EdsallRepublican1873–188119James A. McCartneyRepublican1881–188520George HuntRepublican1885–189321Maurice T. MoloneyDemocratic1893–189722Edward C. AkinRepublican1897–190123Howland J. HamlinRepublican1901–190524William H. SteadRepublican1905–191325Patrick J. LuceyDemocratic1913–191726Edward J. BrundageRepublican1917–192527Oscar E. CarlstromRepublican1925–193328Otto Kerner Sr.Democratic1932–193829John Edward CassidyDemocratic1938–194130George F. BarrettRepublican1941–194931Ivan A. ElliottDemocratic1949–195332Latham CastleRepublican1953–195933Grenville BeardsleyRepublican1959–196034William L. GuildRepublican1960–196135William G. ClarkDemocratic1961–196936William J. ScottRepublican1969–198037Tyrone C. FahnerRepublican1980–198338Neil F. HartiganDemocratic1983–199139Roland W. BurrisDemocratic1991–199540Jim RyanRepublican1995–200341Lisa MadiganDemocratic2003–201942Kwame RaoulDemocratic2019–present

Illinois Attorney General

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