Question of the day
Friday, Aug 20, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Cover letter…
A Message from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul
It has been an honor to serve the people of the State of Illinois as the 42nd Attorney General for the past two years. Our office has consistently advocated on behalf of Illinois and its people by protecting consumers, defending our rights, and collaborating with the law enforcement community to help keep our communities and children safe.
The responsibilities of the Attorney General, to defend and advocate for the state and its people, were brought into sharp focus with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Despite the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, our staff immediately moved into action to adapt our operations to meet the needs of Illinois residents, while also keeping our employees safe. Our attorneys and staff answered thousands of calls from consumers about price gouging and from workers concerned about COVID-19 safety practices in their workplaces. Our attorneys also fought to uphold the Governor’s actions to keep Illinois residents safe in accordance with public health guidance.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges to serving as the Attorney General, our office continues to provide ongoing support and services to the people and communities across Illinois. This report reflects the hard work and dedication of the attorneys and staff of the Attorney General’s office. I could not be more thankful for their dedication and service, and I look forward to continuing to build on our accomplishments.
Skim through the report by clicking here. AG Raoul announced his reelection bid on Governor’s Day.
* The Question: On a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the best and 10 the worst, how would you rate Attorney General Raoul’s performance to date? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
online survey
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 1:59 pm:
I gave him a 2. I think he his doing a great job. The hack was unfortunate.
- Nick - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:03 pm:
5 I suppose.
I can’t think of anything especially good or bad to say about him.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:10 pm:
Gave him a 7 - the lack of cybersecurity in his office was a pre-existing condition that he was aware of and he did nothing. The April hack/Ransomeware attack has devastated his office’s effectiveness. The fix is glacially slow - even today newly elected or appointed trustees can’t take OMA training /Certification.
- JS Mill - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:18 pm:
I rated him a 3. He inherited some issues that have yet to be fully addressed, but realize (unlike some people) that problems created over a decade or more do not go away in 2 years.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:26 pm:
Gave him a 5 and could’ve gone lower. What enforcement actions did he ever take on COVID? I read that section of the report and all it really mentions outside the fluff is taking phone call on the hotline. That’s not an enforcement action. Defending the state against Tom Devore is really the most basic thing the AG is supposed to do and not worthy of praise at all.
- NIU Grad - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:27 pm:
5 - It might be more of a communications problem, but I don’t have a clear enough idea of what the priorities of the office have been and how he has made it his own.
- Leslie K - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:27 pm:
I gave him a 3. He’s been doing some good, measured work under difficult conditions. I considered a lower rating because of the cybersecurity issue, but it’s been hitting so many government agencies across the country I decided not to ding him for it.
- Keyrock - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:28 pm:
I gave him a 6. It’s not clear that he’s done anything beyond the standard AG things. He’s not standing out like Maura Healey of Massachusetts, or other big state AG’s who have taken the lead on major issues.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:32 pm:
I rated him a 4.
I really don’t know, on the extremes of really great or really lousy, where I lean “in between the extremes”.
I guess, for me… the mere fact that the security breach hadn’t fully swamped any and all measures good Raoul has done, I best lean towards the good not the bad.
So much of this term has been overshadowed by other real global issues that have impacted Illinois and taken so much away from what is going on with the AG, and frankly all the other statewide outside the Guv and LG… is that a good thing for Raoul (the breach as the obvious example) or bad (dealing with the issues any AG could be facing during normal times that produce some hay)?
I have a 4.
It’s not on a curve, but it’s hard not to put a grading curve measure on things these days
- Mary - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:33 pm:
The AG’s office is still not up and running based on the ransomware attack. There are 3 AG models, and the best nationwide are a solid mix of all three-professional attorney, advocate for the state at the federal level, or policy wonk in-state. Empty suit.
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:36 pm:
I can’t recall an AG ever writing an amicus brief that blatantly asked SCOTUS to ignore the US Constitution because it is good politics. That brief was embarrassing. He is supposed to respect the law, not ignore it when it doesn’t suit him.
- Responsa - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:46 pm:
I rated him a 7. He has been a disappointment–almost a non-entity as far as I can see. The only time I needed his services or attention was when I reported the false IDES unemployment claim that was made in my name. Bupkis. I never heard back with even an acknowledgement from his office. I suppose it got lost in the “unfortunate hack” which was never adequately explained or resolved.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:47 pm:
I meant to vote a bit above average, but accidentally clicked 8 instead of 3. The hack was (and seems to continue to be) a problem, but he is otherwise doing fine. He’s not a national standout, but that’s not a job requirement.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 2:57 pm:
Rich, this all looks backwards to me. You rate on a scale of 10 being the best and 1 being the worst. And there ain’t no tens…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8WKEs6y8qw
- The Bro - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:05 pm:
I rated him a 6.
I really don’t know, on the extremes of really great or really lousy, where I lean “in between the extremes”.
I guess, for me… the mere fact that the security breach hadn’t fully swamped any and all measures good Raoul has done, I best lean towards the good not the bad.
So much of this term has been overshadowed by other real global issues that have impacted Illinois and taken so much away from what is going on with the AG, and frankly all the other statewide outside the Guv and LG… is that a good thing for Raoul (the breach as the obvious example) or bad (dealing with the issues any AG could be facing during normal times that produce some hay)?
I have a 6.
It’s not on a curve, but it’s hard not to put a grading curve measure on things these days
- Asilla - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:09 pm:
The response to tbe hack has been horrible. Website still not fully functional and critical documents lost forever. High staff turnover.
If Illinois were even somewhat politically competitive, Raoul would be in big trouble.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:09 pm:
- The Bro -
Kinda creepy, maybe your bot programming is off.
As you have started the weekend early, don’t let your cut and paste time take away from … however you’re “celebrating” this Friday
To the post,
If the Trumpkins can find a candidate to take on Raoul, is there enough to make the race competitive or catch Raoul napping?
- Juice - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:11 pm:
I did not follow directions and gave him an 8 thinking that would be good.
Reading after voting would lead me to give him a three. I think he’s done a good job, but COVID has just swamped about everything in my consciousness that I don’t know if he has really had an ability yet to demonstrate that he’s great.
- Bruce( no not him) - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:28 pm:
I gave him a middle of the road 5. At re-election time, I would like the Atty Gen to have to introduce himself, because no one even would know who he (or she) was.
No fanfare, no grandstanding, just do the job, and no one will notice.
- Bear3 - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:31 pm:
Does not know how to read the room and negotiate. The cannabis will be his demise. Too many interests and no solutions . The Govenern must set and make policies and allow his people to build and win. Marching to wrong music and too many wants.
- Southern Skeptic - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
I think people were confused by the scale with many supporters ranking higher (8) which was really lower. That said, the plurality here said 5 which makes total sense since he’s largely been invisible other than the hack.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:46 pm:
5 at best. I do not think he has been as visible or proactive as he could be given all the consumer issues occurring during COVID. Also, the fact that the state agency that requires companies that have cybersecurity breaches to report them to it under penalty of law can’t secure its own systems is absolutely inexcusable.
- Flexible One - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 3:48 pm:
Doing his job quietly with a high level of professionalism and competence
- 5 is too high - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 4:10 pm:
Where’s he been?
- lake county democrat - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 4:12 pm:
5 - meh, Elliot Spitzer he’s not, aid to the COVID cause he’s not, but I never really noticed him, which is probably a good thing.
- Dotnonymous - Friday, Aug 20, 21 @ 4:18 pm:
I rated AG Raoul a 5…which is just exactly right.