Attorney General Kwame Raoul presented the proposed budget for the Illinois Attorney General’s office for the next fiscal year to a Senate legislative committee in Chicago on Apr. 8. Raoul told lawmakers that his office generated more than $1 billion in revenue for the state in 2025 and has returned $21.45 for every taxpayer dollar spent over the past seven years.
The proposed budget comes as the Attorney General’s office continues to take on new responsibilities, including protecting Illinois residents from federal actions and enforcing expanded state laws. “The Attorney General’s office serves Illinois as the people’s law firm, holding violent criminals and online predators accountable, protecting consumers, supporting crime victims and advocating for the state’s interests,” Raoul said. “We are committed to this vital work on behalf of the people of Illinois, even as our responsibilities grow through our critical efforts to protect Illinoisans’ rights from attack by the federal government, as well as under new statutory requirements and greater enforcement authority of existing state laws.”
Raoul described an increased workload stemming from actions by the Trump administration since January 2025. The office has filed over 60 lawsuits and submitted more than 140 amicus briefs challenging federal policies during this period, helping safeguard nearly $7 billion in funding for programs across Illinois. The Attorney General’s team is also defending eight additional cases brought by federal authorities while responding to decisions affecting consumer protection, environmental regulation, and civil rights.
Despite these challenges, Raoul said his office continues joint efforts with federal agencies such as working with ATF on investigations into alleged narcotics and firearms trafficking involving suspected members of Tren de Aragua. Collaboration extends locally through initiatives like the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), which has participated in more than 1,180 arrests since 2019 related to sexual predator offenses.
The Public Integrity Bureau within Raoul’s office investigates fraud against government bodies; since he took office it has handled over 250 cases resulting in about $2 million recovered for taxpayers. The Crime Victims Compensation Bureau processed more than 5,000 claims last year alone and recommended distributing approximately $8.3 million to victims statewide after legislation expanded access.
In addition to its prosecutorial duties—including handling complex criminal cases such as gun trafficking—the Consumer Fraud Bureau responded to over 19,700 complaints last year and secured upwards of $130 million in restitution or savings for residents. Multi-year investigations led by his team have also resulted in settlements totaling more than $1.4 billion from opioid distributors.
According to information provided by the official website, advocacy efforts extend across vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants, seniors; thousands of consumer complaints are handled each year; services include complaint filing regarding consumer fraud or civil rights; collaboration with law enforcement supports crime victims; all aiming at safer communities while promoting open government.
Raoul is scheduled later today to present his budget proposal before a House committee.
