What Does the Illinois Attorney General Actually Do?
- May 12
- 2 min read
The Illinois Attorney General is often described as the state’s “top lawyer,” but the job is much bigger than that. The Attorney General is the state’s chief legal officer and is responsible for protecting the public interest of Illinois and its people. The office advocates for residents, works with the General Assembly on laws, and litigates to ensure state laws are followed.
As explained in the video created by attorney David Shestokas, this office should be one of the strongest accountability tools in Illinois government. The Attorney General has a direct role in protecting consumers, supporting victims, working with law enforcement, defending civil rights, safeguarding children and seniors, and preserving open government. It is not just a legal office, it is a public trust office.
One of the most important responsibilities of the Attorney General is ensuring that government remains transparent and accountable. The office oversees key transparency laws, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act, and may investigate fraud, public corruption, misuse of public funds, and breaches of public trust.
For Illinois families, this means the Attorney General should be focused on real-world outcomes: safer communities, stronger consumer protections, honest government, victim advocacy, and equal enforcement of the law. The office should not operate as a political shield for insiders. It should function as an independent legal advocate for the people of Illinois.
At its core, the job of the Illinois Attorney General is to protect the public, enforce the law, and hold powerful interests accountable. In a state where corruption, high taxes, public safety concerns, and government distrust remain front-and-center issues, voters deserve to understand just how much this office matters.
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