Illinois Attorney General facts for kids

The Illinois Attorney General is the main lawyer for the state of Illinois in the United States. This important job helps make sure the state's laws are followed and that the people of Illinois are protected. The Attorney General works from offices in Chicago and Springfield.

Quick facts for kids Attorney General of Illinois
Seal of the attorney general
Incumbent Kwame Raoul since January 14, 2019
Term length	4 years
Inaugural holder	Daniel Pope Cook
Formation	December 3, 1818
Succession	Second
Website	www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov

The office of Illinois Attorney General started on December 3, 1818. At first, the person in this job was chosen, but now people vote for them in a statewide election. The Attorney General is second in line to become the Governor of Illinois, right after the Lieutenant Governor. The very first person to be the Attorney General was Daniel Pope Cook, who served for only eleven days. He later became a member of the United States Congress. Cook County was named after him.

The person holding this office right now is Kwame Raoul. He started his term on January 14, 2019.

What Does the Attorney General Do?

Under the Constitution of Illinois, the Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer. This means they are the top lawyer for Illinois. Their main jobs include standing up for the people of Illinois and working with the Illinois General Assembly (which makes the laws) to create new laws. They also go to court to make sure state laws are followed.

Here are some of the important things the Attorney General does:

• They represent the people of Illinois in the highest court, the Supreme Court of Illinois, when the state or its people are involved in a case.
• They handle all legal actions that benefit the state.
• They defend state officials if someone sues them for actions they took while doing their job.
• They give advice to other lawyers in the state, called state's attorneys.
• They look into any violations of laws that they are supposed to enforce.
• They advise the governor and other state officials, giving them written opinions on legal questions when asked.
• They also give written opinions to the Illinois General Assembly or its committees when requested.
• They help prepare legal documents and agreements that the state is involved in.
• They attend and present evidence to a special jury called a statewide grand jury, and they handle legal charges that come from it.
• They make sure that money given to public institutions is used correctly and take action if there are problems.

The Attorney General also oversees the Illinois Public Access Counselor. This office makes sure that the state's laws about public information are followed. These laws include the Freedom of Information Act, which lets people ask for government records, and the Open Meetings Act, which makes sure government meetings are open to the public.

Past Attorneys General

Many people have served as Illinois Attorney General since the office was created in 1818. These individuals have come from different political parties and have each played a role in shaping the state's legal history.

See also

In Spanish: Procurador general de Illinois para niños

• List of law enforcement agencies in Illinois

Images for kids

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  Daniel Pope Cook

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  Samuel D. Lockwood

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  James Semple

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  Jesse B. Thomas Jr.

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  Walter B. Scates

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  James A. McDougall

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  Robert G. Ingersoll

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  James A. McCartney

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  George Hunt

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  Maurice T. Moloney

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  Edward C. Akin

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  William H. Stead

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  Patrick J. Lucey

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  Edward J. Brundage

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  Oscar E. Carlstrom

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  Otto Kerner Sr.

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  John Edward Cassidy

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  George F. Barrett

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  Ivan A. Elliott

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  Latham Castle

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  Grenville Beardsley

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  William L. Guild

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  William G. Clark

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  William J. Scott

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  Tyrone C. Fahner

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  Neil F. Hartigan

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  Roland W. Burris

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  Lisa Madigan

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  Kwame Raoul