Raoul Seeks Third Term in Illinois Attorney General Race

Kwame Raoul's office claims its legal battles with the Trump administration have preserved over $8 billion in federal funding for Illinois. That figure anchors the incumbent's campaign as he seeks a third term in Tuesday's general election against Republican challenger Bob Fioretti.

Raoul, who has served as attorney general since 2018, is running on a record of consumer protection and aggressive litigation against federal policies. His office has engaged in approximately 90 legal disputes with the current administration. Raoul told Capitol News Illinois that retaining attorneys and securing resources will be top priorities if he wins. He noted that lawmakers cut his office's budget by $10 million this year.

Fioretti, a former Chicago alderman and civil rights attorney, is challenging Raoul's approach. The Republican candidate argues the office should focus more on violent crime and public corruption within the state. He specifically targets the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois starting September 18, 2023. Fioretti called for eliminating or reforming the law. He wrote in a questionnaire that the act treats violent criminals with kid gloves at the expense of their victims.

The two candidates offer contrasting visions for the role. Raoul emphasized his office's work in multi-state lawsuits, including challenges to the withholding of $2 billion in disaster relief and transportation funds. His office also pursued a $25 million settlement with Grubhub in December 2024 over deceptive practices. Fioretti, however, wants the attorney general to act as a check on local government. He described the Freedom of Information Act as a paper tiger and said he would use statewide grand juries to pursue corruption cases.

Raoul's political history includes a 14-year tenure in the Illinois Senate beginning in 2004. He was appointed to the seat vacated by Barack Obama. During that time, he advanced legislation on criminal justice reform and the death penalty. He succeeded Lisa Madigan, who had held the attorney general office since 2003.

Fioretti served two terms as the Chicago 2nd Ward alderman from 2007 to 2015. He stated in his questionnaire that he opposed six of eight city budgets because they did not provide enough funding for law enforcement. He also said he refused campaign contributions from developers with pending zoning matters in his ward. He described his ward as more than 70 percent Black when he was first elected.

Fioretti has previously run for Chicago mayor, Cook County state's attorney, and Cook County Board president without success. He now positions himself as an independent voice. He wrote that he will be the people's lawyer, not the Governor's. He argued that the attorney general is a constitutional officer who should operate independently of the executive branch.

Voters in Illinois will cast ballots in the race on Tuesday. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Raoul has not responded to a candidate questionnaire, while Fioretti submitted his answers. The candidates' claims reflect their own views and have not all been independently verified.

Raoul's office continues to emphasize its cooperation with state and federal law enforcement. It has worked on organized retail theft, gun trafficking, and online child exploitation cases. Fioretti wants to increase cooperation with federal immigration authorities to remove illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes.

The election determines the next leader of the Illinois Attorney General's office, a role that includes a Worker Protection Unit focused on labor laws. The office also handles public access complaints and reviews disputes under the Open Meetings Act.