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Illinois Attorney General

Article Discussion

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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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.

RoleEdit

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The state's Attorney General Act specifies several duties, including:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • 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 generalEdit

Parties

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Political party Term
1 File:Daniel Pope Cook (Illinois Congressman).jpg Daniel Pope Cook Democratic-Republican 1819
2 William Mears Democratic-Republican 1819–1821
3 File:SamuelLockwood.jpg Samuel D. Lockwood Democratic-Republican 1821–1822
4 James Turney Democratic-Republican 1822–1829
5 George Forquer Democratic 1829–1832
6 File:James Semple.jpg James Semple Democratic 1832–1834
7 Ninian Wirt Edwards Democratic 1834–1835
8 File:Judge Jesse B. Thomas.png Jesse B. Thomas Jr. Democratic 1835–1836
9 File:Judge Walter B. Scates.png Walter B. Scates Democratic 1836–1837
10 Usher F. Linder Democratic 1837–1838
11 George W. Olney Democratic 1838–1839
12 Wickliffe Kitchell Democratic 1839–1840
13 Josiah Lamborn Democratic 1840–1843
14 File:James A. McDougall.jpg James A. McDougall Democratic 1843–1846
15 David B. Campbell Democratic 1846–1848
Office abolished 1848–1867
16 File:Robert G. Ingersoll (6268133678).jpg Robert G. Ingersoll Republican 1867–1869
17 Washington Bushnell Republican 1869–1873
18 James K. Edsall Republican 1873–1881
19 File:James McCartney.jpg James A. McCartney Republican 1881–1885
20 File:George Hunt (1841–1901).png George Hunt Republican 1885–1893
21 Maurice T. Moloney Democratic 1893–1897
22 File:Edward C. Akin (1852–1936).png Edward C. Akin Republican 1897–1901
23 Howland J. Hamlin Republican 1901–1905
24 File:William Henry Stead (1858–1918).png William H. Stead Republican 1905–1913
25 File:Wikipedia Patrick Lucey.png Patrick J. Lucey Democratic 1913–1917
26 File:Edward J. Brundage (3409862227) (cropped).jpg Edward J. Brundage Republican 1917–1925
27 File:Oscar E. Carlstrom (3x4a).jpg Oscar E. Carlstrom Republican 1925–1933
28 File:Otto Kerner Sr. (1).jpg Otto Kerner Sr. Democratic 1932–1938
29 John Edward Cassidy Democratic 1938–1941
30 File:George F. Barrett circa 1945 (3x4).jpg George F. Barrett Republican 1941–1949
31 File:Ivan A. Elliott 10092 3x4.jpg Ivan A. Elliott Democratic 1949–1953
32 File:Latham Castle.png Latham Castle Republican 1953–1959
33 Grenville Beardsley Republican 1959–1960
34 William L. Guild Republican 1960–1961
35 File:Judge William G. Clark.png William G. Clark Democratic 1961–1969
36 File:William J. Scott, circa 1976 (3x4).jpg William J. Scott Republican 1969–1980
37 File:TyFahner.jpg Tyrone C. Fahner Republican 1980–1983
38 File:Attorney General Neil Hartigan (cropped).jpg Neil F. Hartigan Democratic 1983–1991
39 File:Roland Burris, official photo portrait, 111th Congress.jpg Roland W. Burris Democratic 1991–1995
40 Jim Ryan Republican 1995–2003
41 File:Lisa Madigan 2265218.jpg Lisa Madigan Democratic 2003–2019
42 File:Kwame Raoul RFCG (1) (a).jpg Kwame Raoul Democratic 2019–present

See alsoEdit

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ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

Template:U.S. state attorneys general Template:Illinois statewide elected officials Template:Illinois statewide political officials

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