Chicago — Lisa Madigan today announced her campaign for reelection as Illinois Attorney General. In seeking her fourth term, Madigan will build on an extraordinary record of accomplishment in protecting consumers, generating critical revenue for the state, safeguarding communities, and fighting for open and accountable government.
Since taking office in 2003, Madigan has established herself as a national leader in protecting consumers. Throughout the home foreclosure crisis that devastated the nation's economy, Madigan has fought to hold lenders accountable for their financial misconduct and to provide assistance to struggling Illinois families and communities. Her efforts have resulted in over $2 billion in relief for homeowners in Illinois. Madigan also has consistently fought against unfair utility rates, obtaining over $1 billion in relief for electricity consumers.
In a time of fiscal crisis, Madigan's office has generated over $9 billion for the state. Her work has included partnering with the Department of Revenue to lead a multi-year enforcement initiative that has collected over $82 million from gasoline station owners and operators who have evaded sales taxes.
Madigan has led statewide efforts to curb the manufacture, sale and use of methamphetamine, drafting new laws to address this deadly drug, training law enforcement and prosecutors, and prosecuting meth conspiracy cases. With the rise of synthetic drug use in recent years, Madigan put Illinois at the forefront of this fight by launching a successful initiative to get synthetic drugs out of retail stores and drafting a new law to crack down on sales of these drugs.
As part of her extensive work to protect women and children from sexual assault, Madigan drafted and negotiated a law requiring the testing of DNA evidence collected in sexual assault investigations, making Illinois the first state in the nation with this mandate. Madigan also has drafted laws to require lifetime supervision for the most dangerous sex offenders and to improve the state's Sex Offender Registry. Additionally, Madigan leads the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and has undertaken a successful initiative to identify, track and apprehend the most prolific child pornography offenders.
As Attorney General, Madigan has created new tools to fight for government transparency and accountability. She created the first-ever Public Access Counselor in the office and worked with open government advocates to spearhead successful legislative efforts to strengthen the state's sunshine laws. She also has taken criminal and civil actions against government misconduct and
fraud, successfully prosecuting public officials and minority contracting fraud.
In her fourth term, Madigan will continue her successful record of advocacy on behalf of the people of Illinois.
Statement from Lisa Madigan on her decision to seek reelection as Attorney General:
"For the last several months, I have considered the best way to continue serving the people of Illinois. Deciding whether to seek reelection or to run for Governor has not been easy. I love my job as Attorney General and continue to be excited about the important work we are doing and what we can do for people and families in the years ahead. I considered running for Governor because of the need for effective management from that office and the frustration so many of us feel about the current lack of progress on critical issues facing Illinois.
Ultimately, however, there has always been another consideration that impacts my decision. I feel strongly that the state would not be well served by having a Governor and Speaker of the House from the same family and have never planned to run for Governor if that would be the case. With Speaker Madigan planning to continue in office, I will not run for Governor.
I have been honored to have so many people across Illinois voice their support for me as I considered this decision. I look forward to continuing to fight for everyone in Illinois as Attorney General."
