Follow the Money: Why Illinois Deserves an Attorney General Who Can’t Be Bought

Today marks a historic moment in Illinois politics. Former Speaker Michael Madigan, once the most powerful figure in state government, must turn himself in to federal authorities to face corruption charges. His fall from power is more than just a story of one man’s downfall. It’s a vivid reminder of a system that has too often allowed political power and money to intertwine at the expense of the people.

For decades, the phrase “follow the money” has been the surest way to uncover corruption. And in Illinois, that trail has never been more revealing. If you follow the money flowing into current Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s political campaigns, you’ll find millions from Michael Madigan, millions from the Illinois Democratic Party Madigan once controlled, and millions more from Governor J.B. Pritzker’s campaign coffers.

While there may be nothing illegal about accepting those funds, there’s no denying the conflict of interest they create. How can an Attorney General, the state’s top law enforcement officer, be expected to impartially investigate the same political figures and power networks that finance his campaigns?

Illinois’ Attorney General oversees a Public Integrity Unit, designed to investigate political corruption and misconduct by public officials. But few Illinoisans even know it exists, and fewer still have faith that it functions independently. When campaign coffers are filled with the very dollars that have corrupted our government, how can whistleblowers trust that their complaints will ever see the light of day?

The money trail is plain and simple. And it’s time for Illinois to say: enough.

Corruption in Illinois: A Generational Challenge

Illinois has long struggled with corruption at every level of government. Four of our last ten governors have served prison sentences. Countless local officials have been caught in pay-to-play schemes, contract rigging, and influence peddling. The result is more than embarrassment; it’s billions in lost public trust and hundreds of millions in wasted taxpayer dollars each year.

A 2020 study estimated corruption costs Illinois around $500 million annually in lost revenue due to inefficiency, favoritism, and fraud. Every dollar misused is a dollar taken from our classrooms, infrastructure, and communities.

Integrity: The Foundation of Public Service

Integrity isn’t just a talking point; it’s the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. When citizens lose faith in their government, democracy itself weakens. Illinois deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and independent, not beholden to political donors or entrenched power structures.

As Attorney General, Bob Fioretti will restore that integrity. A lifelong public servant, civil rights attorney, and former Chicago alderman, Bob has spent his career fighting corruption and standing up to the political machine, often at great personal cost. He has never been afraid to take on the powerful, and he will bring that same courage to the Office of the Attorney General.

Bob Fioretti’s Plan to Restore Trust and Accountability

1. Independent Oversight: Bob will strengthen and publicize the Public Integrity Unit, ensuring that it operates free from political influence. Whistleblowers and everyday citizens alike will know their complaints are safe, confidential, and investigated thoroughly.

2. Transparency in Campaign Funding: Bob will lead by example, rejecting donations from those under investigation or tied to ongoing corruption probes. The state’s top law enforcer should never owe political favors.

3. Whistleblower Protections: He will expand legal protections for employees and citizens who report corruption, safeguarding them from retaliation and ensuring their voices are heard.

4. Follow-the-Money Enforcement: Bob will establish a financial transparency task force to audit the flow of political contributions and government contracts, as corruption often hides in the ledger books.

5. Technology for Integrity: Bob supports using digital transparency tools and open-data platforms to make government spending accessible to every Illinoisan.

A Call to Action

Michael Madigan’s surrender today is a powerful symbol, but it should also serve as a turning point. Illinois cannot continue to elect leaders who profit from the same systems they claim to reform. The Attorney General should not be a political insider protecting his benefactors. The Attorney General must be the people’s watchdog, independent, fearless, and incorruptible.

Bob Fioretti is running for Illinois Attorney General because he believes the people of Illinois deserve exactly that kind of leadership. The kind that answers not to party bosses, not to donors, but to the citizens of this great state.

It’s time to stop allowing Illinois constitutional officers to be bought. It’s time to restore faith, fairness, and independence to our justice system. It’s time to follow the

money and change the course of Illinois.