* Another slate member. Press release…
A respected attorney, former advisor to Gov. Jim Edgar and son of immigrants, Steve Kim today launched his campaign for Illinois Attorney General, a position that is critical to repairing the state’s reputation as a haven for crime and public corruption.
“Under J.B. Pritzker and Mike Madigan, Springfield remains a cesspool run for the benefit of the politicians and insiders and not the people of Illinois,” said Kim. “Illinois is in dire need of leaders who will stand up for the rule of law, fight public corruption on behalf of the people, and curtail the crime that seems to be getting worse with every passing day. For too long our state has had career politicians in positions of power, including critical offices like Attorney General, that ignore the crime and corruption that plagues our state. That will end when I’m Attorney General.”
Kim understands that the Attorney General plays a special role in assisting state’s attorneys and federal prosecutors in any cases of corruption and will always stand ready to help in rooting out corruption throughout Illinois.
Chicago and Illinois have become synonymous with crime in recent years, as the homicide and violent crime rates have skyrocketed. Chicago just experienced its deadliest year since 1996, recording more homicides than any other city in America. Violent crime isn’t only a problem in Chicago however, as the statewide crime rate is 6.9% higher than the national rate and increasing.
Following Gov. Pritzker’s signing of the disastrous crime bill and push to weaken our police, Kim believes Illinois needs an Attorney General who will stand with law enforcement and ensure safety for families and help victims of crime.
“Crime is spiraling out of control throughout Illinois, and our leaders continue turning a blind eye, pushing to defund our law enforcement,” said Kim. “As Attorney General, I will work with our law enforcement to tackle our growing crime problem.”
Steve Kim is a father, husband, and an American success story. Born in South Korea and the son and grandson of immigrants, his expansive knowledge and experience has influenced all levels of Illinois government and benefited the United States nationally and abroad.
Early in his career, Kim advised former Gov. Jim Edgar on international trade, economic development, and Asian affairs issues. Kim has gone on to become one of the most respected international business attorneys in Illinois. Currently a partner at a boutique international law firm, Steve works with companies across the globe where he has developed a deep understanding of the importance of anti-corruption policies, the rule of law, and public safety.
Kim was appointed to the Illinois Human Rights Commission with bipartisan approval by the Illinois State Senate where he adjudicated hundreds of civil rights cases. He has also serves as a member of the Rules Committee of the Illinois Supreme Court, and previously as an International Trade Specialist at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Director of Export and International Trade for the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and on former Senator Mark Kirk’s Small Business Advisory Board.
Learn more about Steve Kim at KimForAG.com.
Lost twice statewide. I dunno. In 2010, Pat Quinn won by less than a point, but Lisa Madigan thumped Kim by 33. [Typo in original. More coffee needed.]
* Politico…
Kim is a familiar name on the political scene, having challenged Democratic AG Lisa Madigan when she ran for reelection in 2010. Kim was also the running mate to Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Rutherford in the 2014 primary contest that ultimately went to Bruce Rauner.
A source close to Kim’s campaign said he would be part of a slate that includes state Rep. Tom Demmer for treasurer, former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser for secretary of state, and McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi for comptroller, who announced yesterday. Don’t be surprised if Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin leads the slate as the gubernatorial candidate. These candidates aren’t the only Republicans running for statewide offices, but by teaming up they hope to have an advantage securing a statewide seat (or seats) that are now controlled by Democrats.
Does anybody do a live launch anymore?
*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released the following statement about the 2022 campaign for Illinois Attorney General.
“I look forward to debating the issues and challenges that matter most to voters across Illinois. This election comes at a critical time for our state as we continue to combat Republican attacks on our democracy, our access to health care and reproductive rights, and our right to vote.
“As the people’s lawyer and champion, I have:
• Worked in a bipartisan manner with prosecutors and police chiefs across Illinois to fight crime and develop criminal justice policy;
• Partnered with federal and local law enforcement to prosecute murder, violent crimes, crimes of sexual violence and gun trafficking;
• Fought organized retail crime that has contributed to smash-and-grab crimes across the state;
• Investigated and prosecuted child predators for preying on children online;
• Worked in partnership with the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center to conduct trainings to avoid mass shooting threats in schools, places of worship, and other public places;
• Pushed for stronger federal regulation of “ghost” guns that criminals, carjackers and domestic abusers prohibited from buying a gun access without important safety measures;
• Protected access to health care and fought to uphold reproductive rights in Roe v. Wade for women in the Midwest and surrounding states;
• Fought for women’s equality to ensure the Equal Rights Amendment is recognized as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution; and
• Protected the right to vote in free and fair elections against Republican attempts to suppress voters.
“The global pandemic and Trump presidency have shown us how important state attorneys general are to preserve the fundamentals of our democracy, protect the public’s safety, and uphold our rights. I have been honored to serve as Illinois’ 42nd Attorney General and look forward to asking voters for the opportunity to serve a second term.”
…Adding… ILGOP…
ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler released the following statement:
“Chicago just had its deadliest year since 1996. The Illinois crime rate continues to outpace the national average. The dirty corrupt secrets of politicians across the state are coming to light in multiple federal investigations. And what is Kwame Raoul doing as the state’s top law enforcement officer? Failing and keeping quiet.”
…Adding… DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Deputy Director Jake Lewis released the following statement regarding the latest candidate announcement from the Ken Griffin slate:
“Another day, another Griffin candidate. Today it’s Steve Kim, who has apparently been tapped by Ken Griffin to join his handpicked Rauner Reboot slate as the Attorney General nominee. And who better to continue Rauner’s legacy of destruction than Kim, himself a Rauner appointee and twice-failed statewide candidate. Unfortunately for the Griffin ticket, voters have no interest in going back to the Rauner days of dysfunction and chaos.
“As we close in on the unveiling of the full Rauner Reboot ticket, it’s clear that Illinois Republicans are unwilling to make a peep about this corrupt process. They’ve stood by as one man anoints the entire Republican slate — no matter what the voters think. For the Illinois Republican Party, apparently only Ken Griffin’s opinion counts.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** I told you yesterday that the campaigns for comptroller candidate Shannon Teresi and SoS candidate John Milhiser were both using Peter Fitzgerald’s Chain Bridge Bank and had the same treasurer, Les Williamson of The Larrison Group. So is Kim.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:39 am:
Grif’s Grifters Grows…the headlines practically write themselves.
- Anon E Moose - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:39 am:
Still running against Mike Madigan even though he is no longer in office is an interesting play.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:41 am:
Almost as if someone in the GOP has figured out they won’t win elections running far right, fire breathing, civil war promoting, Nazi befriending, Chicago bashing, government hating old white downstate males. Who knew?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:42 am:
The only good I see here is the Erika Harold won’t be thrown in to lose again.
===Lost twice statewide.===
Third time the charm against Kwame?
Where has Kim been?
- Red Ranger - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:45 am:
Grif’s spokesperson reminding us all that he was a big time donor to the Biden Inauguration was a nice gift to the Bailey camp. Im sure that wont be used against the slate at all.
- Flat Bed Ford - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:46 am:
“Does anybody do a live launch anymore?”
Why? So the three reporters left coving Springfield have somewhere to go? Rally’s during covid ain’t the best of ideas.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:48 am:
Do not understand why this guy is Griffin’s AG pick when Milhiser has better AG credentials.
I get that the SOS office is the open seat and offers way more patronage but there are openings to attack Kwame Raoul on like the horrible crippling hacker attack on Raoul’s watch.
But the GOP is just gonna concede this one with some cannon fodder retread. OK.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:49 am:
Link shows L. Madigan with 65% and Kim with 32% so a difference of 32%
- Nuke The Whales - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:50 am:
The thirteen Republican who won a congressional seat against an incumbent Democrat in the 2020 general election were either a woman or was either a woman, a racial minority, or both. Eyeballing it, a similar trend happened in swing seats though not exclusively. Additionally, a good chunk of the white men were veterans. I get why they are trying to do that with the “Bought and Paid for By Ken Griffin” slate.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:51 am:
To the overall,
You can’t say anything about this slate being Trumpian or cult-like, and the idea and focus of the overall is being rolled out as what could be a “best case” kind of slate to win statewide.
Kim being Rutherford’s running mate is a reminder that Kim wasn’t a Raunerite, and there’s more afoot here that’s bigger… stopping the wing of the party that could bury once and for all a chance to be relevant in Illinois.
The trick will be getting this slate through the primary and getting the cultists and Trumpkins to not abandon the winners as their candidates would’ve have lost.
I’ll be very interested.
- Red Ranger - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 9:52 am:
Looking at the caliber of candidates the slate is putting up for SoS vs AG is very telling. It would look odd not to “slate” someone for AG, so just get someone who will enjoy the attention for the next 11 months and then will go away, plus wont harm the rest of the slate.
- Baloneymous - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:04 am:
“The trick will be getting this slate…”
Well said OW. And Griffin may need to hire Criss Angel Mindfreak to figure out that trick.
- Rabid - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:06 am:
Still reading prose from the turnaround agendas
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:07 am:
===a difference of 32===
It’s actually 33. I typed the wrong numeral. Thanks for the heads up. Fixed.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:11 am:
I think there’s some real vulnerability for Raoul, but Kim isn’t exactly putting the best foot forward. He’s fine, he won’t humiliate anyone, but he also won’t punch above his weight class.
But he’s decent insurance if Kwame catches a scandal or a gaffe.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:13 am:
Have to admit I also thought “Does anybody ever do a live launch anymore?”
Weather you are pro or anti the Governor, he does show up and answers questions. At times the Gov. may wonder and be a bit off point, but he always takes questions and let’s citizens see him respond to issues.
This announcement by press release is just not what I would expect or want from someone wanting to represent me in state government.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:14 am:
==Do not understand why this guy is Griffin’s AG pick when Milhiser has better AG credentials.==
It’s Tony LaRussa playing the matchups. Not only is SOS an open seat, but a squeaky clean federal prosecutor matches up well against Alexi.
Maybe it’s too clever by half (as TLR often is), but I think it makes sense.
I guess ideally you’d find some other squeaky clean former federal prosecutor to run here, too. But Republicans clearly have some recruitment problems.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:15 am:
“Kim understands that the Attorney General plays a special role in assisting state’s attorneys and federal prosecutors … .”
Special? That’s putting it mildly. Locally, state’s attorneys want as little as possible to do with the AG, and the Feds routinely ask the AG to step aside.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:20 am:
===Does anybody do a live launch anymore? ===
Don’t have to go through the embarrassment of trying to fill a room with people who would actually support your campaign and candidacy enough to show up at an event in the middle of the day.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:24 am:
Griffin is putting together a slate that on balance will be seen as “centrist” in terms of Illinois politics, new faces, ideas, and diverse. The slate in totality should be relatively immune from attack that is a Trumpian . Kim may not be an exciting candidate for AG, but does anyone really get excited about that office? If the Griffin-backed candidates survive the primary, they will be energized for the general. The D’s have a distinct disadvantage with failed national agendas such as BBB, Voting rights, and with Biden polling at 33%, plus 40-year high inflation, the winds may be as favorable as they can be for the IL GOP
- Annonin' - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:25 am:
OK is this two time loser part of Team Griffie or not. Is he blessed by Trump? All of this is confusing, but amusing because of the jibber jabber on how much Griffie was spending out — but this is a guy who barely beat a Supreme Court retention race without knowing he did not get a R vote immediately /or ever.
- Google Is Your Friend - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:29 am:
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:20 am:
Trump hired actors in 2015
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:50 am:
===If the Griffin-backed candidates survive the primary, they will be energized for the general.===
Energized or not, if the Trumpkin cultists abandon the Griffin Slate, all the energy in the world won’t matter.
Do they try to keep them by being anti-vax? Do they pivot to crime 24/7? Can they ignore abortion if that decides to be a factor in June (SCOTUS rulings released)?
One race at a time. The primary. Gotta win, but not alienate the Trumpkin base or cultists that might “never” support folks they see as “R _ N _ Os”
That crew has one battle to win while not making a/the second battle untenable.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 10:55 am:
I suspect that the civil war within the Republican party will continue. The former President has made it clear that loyalty is still the litmus test amongst Republican voters. And I suspect that will spill over into the primaries particular in the Governor’s race. And it will certainly be a recurring theme in the general.
I can appreciate Griffin’s attempts to make the ILGOP relevant again. But I’m not sure that this is the cycle to do it in.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:01 am:
==The slate in totality should be relatively immune from attack that is a Trumpian==
Nah. I think they are, by and large, distinct from the Trump/Bailey wing of the party, but they’re still in the same party, and will be understood as such. Just as you understand that IL Dems are in the same party as Joe Biden.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:05 am:
==I suspect that the civil war within the Republican party will continue. The former President has made it clear that loyalty is still the litmus test amongst Republican voters.==
OTOH, I think Trump’s influence among Republicans is slowly waning. Probably not enough to avoid pain this spring, but maybe.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:09 am:
Would AG Steve Kim oppose Tom DeVore’s many lawsuits or join the State of Illinois as co-plaintiff?
See Missouri AG for possible parallels.
- No more robo calls - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:28 am:
They AG who stops those warranty, etc calls (oddly they have dropped off the last month) gets my vote.
- Dirksen - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:30 am:
Looks like Frerichs is the only one who botched his response by not doing his homework.
- Watchful eye. - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:34 am:
So you have a former us attorney who is willing to run stratewide to clean up corruption and he runs for Sec of State?and now Steve Kim left to handle the corruption message for Republicans. Who are these guys making the “slating” decisions. Backwards. But I guess someone is making a bundle
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:39 am:
=== So you have a former us attorney who is willing to run stratewide to clean up corruption and he runs for Sec of State?===
Not a difficult thing to grasp, unless you don’t want to grasp it.
Alexi, and connecting the dots to his … “shady-ness”… you run a person beyond reproach, and someone who is anti-corruption.
The two races, the two most important, key races, are SoS and Treasurer. Griffin feels he has two really good counters to two really terribly flawed candidates.
While you may allegedly “can’t grasp” these choices…
Kim can easily run for either SoS or AG
Milhiser is far better at SoS with the goal against Alexi than Kim.
- Watchful eye. - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:46 am:
The Sec of State is a service office and will never be seen by voters as a corruption bully pulpit. The Slaters looking to past glories forget 2010 was a huge wave year and they still barely won. And they won because they had a very good candidate in Mark Kirk- not because of the stupid shark they had following Alexi around the state.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:52 am:
===by voters as a corruption bully pulpit.===
Candidates run against other candidates.
If you are consistently ignoring the glaring differences between Alexi and Milhiser… you’re doing it wrong… purposely or accidentally.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:52 am:
It’s going to be very awkward to have this unified ticket if Irvin doesn’t win his primary and they don’t have someone sane to run for Senate…
Also messy to have someone at the top of the ticket who is only the leader in name only…Ken Griffin is pulling the strings.
- Watchful eye. - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:57 am:
And a guy whom whose very first act as sec of state candidate is swearing allegiance to the consultants is the contrast?
- Payback - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:58 am:
“Locally, state’s attorneys want as little as possible to do with the AG..” Since when do county State’s Attorneys have any interaction whatsoever with the IL AGs office? Do you have one example of Kwame Raoul’s office doing anything whatsoever to help local prosecutors investigate and prosecute crimes?
“…and the Feds routinely ask the AG to step aside.” Right, like the federal prosecutors have to put a leash on the Illinois AG’s office to stop them from gangbusting crime like Eliot Ness? Get serious.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:01 pm:
===swearing allegiance to the consultants===
Are you going to discuss this seriously or is this going to be a bunch of hyperbole?
This also only makes sense if you feel Alexi is an acceptable candidate with his shady background… which you feel won’t be an issue… or can be rebuffed with a phony possibility of a “shady deal with consultants”?
Is this your… take?
- Watchful eye. - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:09 pm:
It is a serious discussion. The consultants slating candidates allegedly at the behest of the richest guy in the state politically and otherwise means they have surrendered any indoendence and are working for Griffin —not the voters. A blatantly sold out candidacy bears 20 year old corruption allegations anytime. The Democrats will pound this “slate” with this and it will be effective. But —the consultants will get paid either way.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:14 pm:
===A blatantly sold out candidacy bears 20 year old corruption allegations anytime. The Democrats will pound this “slate” with this and it will be effective. But —the consultants will get paid either way.===
… which is why the Shady Alexi candidacy is at serious risk when a candidate like Milhiser, whose career, unlike Alexi’s, isn’t fraught with shady corrupt people and failed banks with unsavory deals…
Candidates take on other candidates.
Milhiser over Kim makes far more sense.
Milhiser will have more than enough dollars to remind voters that they can’t trust a man who’s background itself is a big red flag.
Alexi and Frerichs, they have big troubles ahead, because who they are will have a laser-like focus and it’s not going to be something easily dismissed.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:16 pm:
===20 year old corruption===
You’re cool with Alexi’s shady corruption past.
Good to know. Thanks.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:20 pm:
If you’re cool with Alexi’s shady corruption past, how can you worry about Milhiser’s possible link to consultants? That makes no sense.
Ok, back to Kim and the Post,
Can Kim make hay against Raoul with crime as it is, but also show in a campaign framing what could be a different path that can resonate with the suburbs… while keeping Trumpkin thinking at arms length without pushing it all away?
That could be interesting, but Kim has a history as a losing statewide candidate…
- Responsa - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:25 pm:
Kwame seems pretty pleased with himself. Perhaps moreso than some of his constituents who consider him MIA?
- Pundent - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:38 pm:
=So you have a former us attorney who is willing to run stratewide to clean up corruption and he runs for Sec of State?=
The ultimately prize is the Governor’s office but that’s not probably within reach. SOS is attainable particularly if Alexi is the opponent. And as consolation prizes go it’s not a bad one particularly when you want to rebuild a party and have further aspirations. And as Rich pointed out the other day, when was the last time an AG was able to parlay the gig into something bigger?
Raoul may be beatable and Kim could be the one to do it. But SOS is the real opportunity shot for the ILGOP.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:39 pm:
==Can Kim make hay against Raoul with crime as it is==
One thing that strikes me is that Kim does not have much of a criminal law background. That’s obviously not a requirement, and not even really a ton of what the AG does, but it seems like an easy box to check left unchecked.
- Pungent - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:50 pm:
Oswego is like a dog with two bones: Frerichs’ and Giannoulias’ supposed electoral weaknesses. I don’t see it. But he might just trigger a rapprochement between those two. That would be funny.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:52 pm:
=Can Kim make hay against Raoul with crime as it is=
Probably. Although it’s primarily a consumer watch dog role, most folks don’t really understand what the AG does and candidates often like to play to perceptions.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:54 pm:
===I don’t see it===
That’s possible.
But… Frerichs still can’t explain why he favors a discussion on taxing retirement income… and Alexi’s shady past has yet to find clarity with honesty to it.
Maybe both Frerichs and Alexi can’t see a way around these things and hope you ignore them, so for them they are pleased you can’t. GriffinBucks will remind lots and lots and lots of folks.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:54 pm:
==Oswego is like a dog with two bones: Frerichs’ and Giannoulias’ supposed electoral weaknesses.==
That’s not fair, OW also remains very interested in Tom Cross’ golf game and Bruce Rauner’s myriad failures.
==I don’t see it.==
I mean, Frerichs’ gaffe on taxes is real. Giannoulias’ bad oppo is real. Gun to my head, I think the state’s general partisan lean saves at least one of them, but those are unforced errors.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:57 pm:
===Tom Cross’ golf game===
At this point I think he’s ducking me, or trying to ban me from Fox Bend, or both.
I’m not *mad*… merely disappointed.
:)
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:09 pm:
Payback
State’s Attorneys, going back at least to AG Roland Burris, in a bi-partisan approach have opposed all efforts by the AG, regardless of party, to obtain statutory authority for criminal prosecutions. Roland Burris’ “Statewide grand juries” - never happened.
The Feds - as our gracious host has repeatedly pointed out, federal investigations of Blago generally supplanted activities of the AG’s office. Perhaps you’ve heard of that particular US Attorney for Northern Illinois? One Patrick Fitzgerald.
- Primate - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
I respect and admire Steve. All the best!
- Payback - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:29 pm:
“…in a bi-partisan approach have opposed all efforts by the AG, regardless of party, to obtain statutory authority for criminal prosecutions.” Proving that a weak IL AG office is by design. If you ever get out of Lincoln Park, anyone on the south side could tell you that Raoul was slated as AG because the party bosses knew he would stand pat. Raoul’s campaign office was inside Senate President John Cullerton’s office on Belmont Ave.
But thanks for lawyersplaining to the little people. I would have had to pay one of your bar partners to interpret your insights, but I passed the Constitution test before I graduated high school.
- BluState Red - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 5:37 pm:
Could be Grif’s Grifters are just LARping , controlled , malleable ‘opposition’ - the IlGOP appears to be a tired husk - a perma super minority.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 5:47 pm:
The rollout of the “slate” has been good so far. Give each candidate their day in the sun before the Irvin announcement. Even bringing Bourne up to get on Chicago TV network news at the Right to Life March.
Long way to go before June though. Can this slate actually win with current GOP primary voters south of I80? Are there enough up North to carry them? Plus what about current Gov slate candidates? Bailey seems to be catching the most attention how does Griffin’s slate counter that with a former/possibly current Dem as top of GOP ticket? What really is the final dollar amount Ken will spend?
Lots of unanswered questions guess we’ll find out when his Gov slate candidate announcement takes place.