Kwame Raoul

Early life

Raoul was born in Chicago to Haitian immigrant parents Dr. Janin and Marie Therese Raoul. Raoul earned his B.A. degree in political science from DePaul University and went on to receive his J.D. degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Early career

Raoul served as a partner of the law firm of Quarles & Brady, with a practice concentrating on employment and labor litigation. Raoul also served as Cook County prosecutor and previously worked as senior counsel for the City Colleges of Chicago.

Raoul unsuccessfully challenged incumbent 4th ward Chicago alderman Toni Preckwinkle in both the 1995 and 1999 aldermanic elections.

Senate career

Raoul was appointed on November 6, 2004, to fill the state Senate vacancy caused by the resignation of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who had been elected to the United States Senate.

During his time as Senator, Raoul successfully advanced legislation promoting civil justice, early childhood education, domestic violence prevention, and political reform. In his first year in the General Assembly, Raoul established a progressive agenda. His work led to the passage of laws expanding access to early voting in Illinois and the state's Low Income Energy Assistance Program, as well as a crackdown on the payday loan industry.

Raoul sponsored a bill that would require grants distributed by Illinois State Board of Education to early childhood education and preschool programs be used to improve and expand the quality of services. He also backed legislation aimed at easing the reintegration of ex-offenders into the community. This legislation allows good conduct credit to be awarded to inmates who earn their high school diplomas or GEDs, as well as inmates who participate in substance abuse programs.

Raoul has championed legislation on criminal justice reform, including legislation that abolishes the death penalty and legislation creating the Torture Inquiry Commission. He also championed legislation aimed at breaking the code of silence by deterring intimidation of those who cooperate with law enforcement officers.

Raoul has supported efforts to create and retain jobs in the state of Illinois, including his sponsorship of legislation to extend the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit to companies. He also championed the effort to pass comprehensive workers' compensation reform.

As chairman of the Senate's Pension and Investment Committee, Raoul advocated for pension ethics reform and led efforts to expand opportunities for minority and women-owned financial service firms. As chairman of the Senate's Redistricting Committee, Raoul introduced legislation that created the Illinois Voting Rights Act to protect racial and language minorities in the legislative redistricting process. In addition, Raoul served as Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Vice-Chair of the Criminal Law Committee and a member of the Executive, Gaming, Insurance and Public Health Committees.

Raoul was among the candidates Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich considered to fill Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat upon Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election. Raoul withdrew his name from consideration, wary of entering into a quid pro quo with the governor, who later became embroiled in a corruption scandal over his attempt to sell the appointment.

Raoul was succeeded in the Illinois Senate by activist Robert Peters, who was appointed by Democratic leaders of the district.[[File:Kwame Raoul (2009).jpg|thumb|Raoul in 2009]]

Attorney General of Illinois

2018 election

Main article: 2018 Illinois Attorney General election

In September 2017, Raoul launched his campaign for Attorney General of Illinois; originally he was expected to run for Mayor of Chicago in 2019 but declined. Among a crowded field of eight Democratic candidates, Raoul received several significant endorsements: Congressman Danny K. Davis of Illinois's 7th congressional district, President of the Illinois Senate John Cullerton, the Chicago Teachers Union, the Cook County Democratic Party, and the Madison County Democratic Party.

According to Raoul's campaign website, he supports ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and co-sponsored the Equal Wage Act in Illinois, which was later vetoed by Governor Rauner. He believes that abortion should be safe, legal, and accessible. He supports increasing gun restrictions and reforming the criminal justice system.

Raoul won the Democratic primary election on March 20, 2018 winning 30% of the vote in an eight-way primary contest that included, among others, former governor Pat Quinn. In the general election, he faced Republican nominee Erika Harold, a former Miss America and Champaign/Urbana, Illinois attorney who won her two-way contest with 59% of the vote. On November 6, 2018, Raoul defeated Harold with 54% of the vote.

2022 election

Main article: 2022 Illinois Attorney General election

Raoul ran in the Democratic primary unopposed. On November 8, 2022, he defeated Republican Tom DeVore in the general election, receiving 54% of the vote and winning a second term.

Personal life

Raoul lives in the Hyde Park/Kenwood area. He is married to Dr. Lisa Moore and has two children, Che and Mizan. He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity (Theta Zeta chapter) and a founding member of the Haitian American Lawyers Association of Illinois. Raoul is a prostate cancer survivor.

Raoul has directed volunteer legal clinics in his district. He has served on the board of directors of the Cook County Bar Association and the North Central province of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He has coached Hyde Park Biddy Basketball and has been an AYSO soccer volunteer. He has participated in voter registration campaigns with Rainbow/PUSH and has served as a volunteer Election Day lawyer.

Raoul was raised Catholic.

Electoral history

References

References

1. (November 6, 2018). "Democrat Kwame Raoul cruises to easy win in Illinois attorney general race". [[Chicago Tribune]].
2. [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=100&MemberID=2340 Illinois General Assembly – Senator Biography]. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved November 6, 2018. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240708062546/http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=100&MemberID=2340 Archived] from the original on July 8th, 2024.
3. staff, Chicago Tribune (November 15, 2003). [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/11/15/dr-janin-j-raoul-75/ DR. JANIN J. RAOUL, 75]. ''chicagotribune.com''. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
4. "Election Results for 1995 Primary Election, Alderman, Ward 4, Chicago, IL (Non-Partisan Aldermanic Election)". Chicago Democracy Project.
5. "Election Results for 1999 General Election, Alderman, Ward 4, Chicago, IL". Chicago Democracy Project.
6. reporter, Jodi S. Cohen, Tribune staff. (November 7, 2004). "Obama's Springfield seat goes to lawyer".
7. Saulny, Susan. (December 12, 2008). "Obama to Detail Any Staff Talks on Senate Seat". [[The New York Times]].
8. Seidel, Jon. (January 6, 2019). "Robert Peters chosen to finish Kwame Raoul's term in Illinois Senate". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
9. Pearson, Rick. (September 20, 2017). "Raoul Launches Bid to Replace Lisa Madigan as Attorney General". Chicago Tribune.
10. staff, Chicago Tribune. "Morning Spin: A look at who's raised the most in race to replace Lisa Madigan". chicagotribune.com.
11. Associated Press. (September 20, 2017). "State Sen Raoul to Run for Illinois Attorney General in 2018". U.S. News & World Report.
12. Sneed, Michael. (September 24, 2017). "Lisa Madigan's Bailing out May Have Had More to Do with Father.". Chicago Sun Times.
13. Esposito, Stefano. (January 22, 2018). "Sen. Kwame Raoul Picks up Another Key Endorsement in AG Race.". Chicago Sun Times.
14. Pearson, Rick. (November 3, 2017). "Cook County Dems endorse state Sen. Raoul over former Gov. Quinn, others for AG". Chicago Tribune.
15. "On the Issues – Kwame Raoul". Kwame Raoul.
16. (19 August 2021). "Kwame Raoul to seek reelection next year". [[Hyde Park Herald]].
17. "AG candidate tweets out engagement announcement". Capitol Fax.
18. "Biography".
19. "HALA Founding Members".
20. (October 27, 2018). "The race to replace Lisa Madigan: Meet the attorney general candidates".
21. "Kwame Raoul's Clash with the Cardinal Shines a Spotlight on a Low-Key State Official - Center for Illinois Politics".
22. "Election Results for 1995 Primary Election, Alderman, Ward 4, Chicago, IL (Non-Partisan Aldermanic Election)". Chicago Democracy Project.
23. "Election Results for 1999 General Election, Alderman, Ward 4, Chicago, IL". Chicago Democracy Project.
24. "Election Results 2006 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois Board of Elections.
25. "Election Results 2006 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois Board of Elections.
26. "Election Results 2010 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois Board of Elections.
27. "Election Results 2010 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois Board of Elections.
28. "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois Board of Elections.
29. "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois Board of Elections.
30. "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois Board of Elections.
31. "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois Board of Elections.
32. "Election Results". Illinois Board of Elections.
33. "2022 General Election Results".