Raoul seeks third term as Fioretti targets SAFE-T Act
The Illinois attorney general election pits the incumbent, who has litigated against the federal government, against a former alderman focused on crime and corruption.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Kwame Raoul faces Bob Fioretti in Tuesday's general election for Illinois attorney general. Raoul, the Democratic incumbent, is seeking a third term in the office he has held since 2018. Fioretti, a Republican and former Chicago alderman, challenges him in a race that centers on crime, federal spending, and state transparency.
Raoul’s campaign emphasizes his office’s recent legal battles with the Trump administration. His team estimates that roughly 90 lawsuits over the past two years helped Illinois retain more than $8 billion in federal funding. The office successfully challenged the withholding of approximately $2 billion in disaster relief and transportation funds. Raoul also highlighted a $25 million settlement reached in December 2024 with Grubhub over deceptive business practices.
Fioretti argues the attorney general should focus more on violent crime and public corruption. He has called for the elimination or major reform of the state’s SAFE-T Act. Fioretti wrote that the law is a disaster and treats violent criminals with kid gloves. The act, which took effect in September 2023, eliminated cash bail for many offenses while allowing judges to order pretrial detention in qualifying cases. Fioretti also proposes greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities to remove non-citizens who commit violent crimes.
Fioretti, who served as the 2nd Ward alderman from 2007 to 2015, emphasizes his independence. In his questionnaire responses, he stated he opposed six of eight city budgets because he believed they underfunded law enforcement. He also refused campaign contributions from developers with pending zoning matters in his ward. Fioretti stated he will be the people's lawyer, not the Governor's, arguing the office must operate independently of the executive branch.
Raoul’s path to the attorney general’s office began in 2004 when he was appointed to the Illinois Senate to fill the seat vacated by Barack Obama. He served 14 years in the state Senate, advancing legislation on the death penalty and background checks. He first won the attorney general election in November 2018 and was sworn in for his second term in January 2023. Raoul said he will prioritize retaining attorneys if reelected, noting that lawmakers reduced his office’s budget by $10 million this year.
Fioretti has also criticized the enforcement of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act. He described FOIA as a paper tiger and said local officials frequently violate transparency requirements without facing meaningful consequences. He plans to use statewide grand juries to pursue public corruption cases. Fioretti previously ran unsuccessfully for Chicago mayor, Cook County state's attorney, and Cook County Board president.
Voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday. Polls in Illinois open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Raoul did not respond to a questionnaire regarding his background and priorities, while Fioretti submitted his answers. The race will determine the direction of the office responsible for enforcing state laws and representing the state in legal matters.
