Illinois' top legal eagle, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, recently pitched his office's next fiscal year budget to Springfield lawmakers, revealing the office's impressive cash haul. AG Raoul proudly announced that in the past year alone, his domain has wrangled in more than a cool billion bucks for the state. He noted that for every state dollar invested in his office's operations, an eye-popping $17.55 was generated.
Riding high on efficiency, Raoul's financial feat is all the more striking given his office's broader mandate to “curb violent crimes” and “protect children and our most vulnerable populations,” as he emphasized. It's indeed a staggering return, amassing over $5.4 billion since he took the helm, according to an announcement from the Attorney General's office.
The Attorney General's office has not only been about raking in cash. It has been busy safeguarding consumers too, dealing with more than 19,000 complaints last year and fighting to return $145 million to residents' pockets. But wait, there's more. Through cases involving state property damage, child support, and fines, the office has scooped up $290 million; and let's not forget the $299 million from tobacco litigation, plus $284 million from estate tax revenues.
The opioid crisis hasn't been left unchecked either, with the AG's office securing settlements north of $198 million from big pharma. If we're to talk long game, Illinois is set to bag an even more substantial $1.3 billion over 18 years, under national opioid settlements—a testament to Raoul's commitment to not only fully chase down, but also to significantly put funds back into the state's coffers. It's a tale of financial acumen and legal prowess intertwined, demonstrating an effective office that's hell-bent on accountability and economic gain for the people of Illinois.
