Attorney General of Illinois · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Illinois attorney general race?
Kwame Raoul has the strongest record in the Illinois attorney general race. Kwame Raoul scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Bob Fioretti at 55, as of October 9, 2026. Kwame Raoul's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Bob Fioretti's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Bob Fioretti
On the ballot as Robert W. Fioretti
55 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- 50
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Kwame Raoul
62 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 50
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Bob Fioretti
- On the record2026-07-10
Called on Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons to resign after federal charges against him and Rep. Carol Ammons, and criticized Attorney General Raoul in the statement.
Source: WSIU, July 10, 2026
- On the record2022
Ran for Cook County Board president as a Democrat in 2018 and as a Republican in 2022, and is the 2026 Republican nominee for attorney general.
Source: CBS Chicago, Oct. 14, 2025
- On the record2022-06
In 2022 represented Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard in her suit over a recall referendum; in June 2022 a Cook County judge directed the clerk to disregard the recall votes.
Sources: Chicago Tribune, June 17, 2022, Chicago Tribune, Dec. 6, 2022
- On the record2020-01-16
In January 2020 the Cook County Officers Electoral Board unanimously overruled his objection alleging a pattern of fraud in State's Attorney Kim Foxx's petitions; the hearing officer found no supporting evidence.
Source: CBS Chicago, Jan. 16, 2020
- On the record2007 to 2015
As a Democratic alderman opposed Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the City Council and became the first major challenger to Emanuel's 2015 reelection.
- Credit2005
Represented the family in the 2005 Baby Tamia interstate custody case, which led to changes in Illinois adoption law.
Source: CBS Chicago, Oct. 14, 2025
Kwame Raoul
- Mark against2025-04
The Auditor General's compliance examination of his office for fiscal 2023 and 2024 gave a modified opinion with material weaknesses and 10 findings, eight repeated from the prior examination.
- On the record2023-07-18
On July 18, 2023 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 5-2, siding with his office, that the SAFE-T Act's elimination of cash bail is constitutional, reversing a Kankakee County ruling.
Source: WTTW, July 18, 2023
- On the record2021-04
His office's network was hit by a ransomware attack in April 2021, two months after a state audit warned of cybersecurity weaknesses; hackers posted some office documents online.
Sources: Capitol News Illinois, April 30, 2021, Chicago Tribune via Government Technology, May 3, 2021, ABA Journal, May 4, 2021
- On the record2020-12
In December 2020 joined 22 other Democratic attorneys general on a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Texas's suit to overturn certified results in four states; the Court declined the case.
- On the record2018-09-04
PolitiFact rated False a claim in his Sept. 4, 2018 TV ad, its only rating of his statements.
- Credit2026
With other states' attorneys general, won release of $2 billion in federal disaster relief and transportation funding that the federal government had withheld over immigration enforcement.
- Credit2026-09-21
A federal judge in Rhode Island on Sept. 21, 2026 struck down a federal rule restricting noncitizens' access to public aid programs, in a multistate suit Illinois joined.
- Credit2026-09
His office and consumer groups reached a September 2026 settlement cutting a $221 million Nicor Gas rate request by about $140 million, or 63%, pending regulator approval.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Bob Fioretti. Committee Bob for Illinois, created Sept. 3, 2025, is active with reports on file at the State Board of Elections. No ethics, court or campaign finance finding found; PolitiFact has no file on him.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections, Bob for Illinois (committee 40846)
Kwame Raoul. Committee Raoul for Illinois is active with reports on file at the State Board of Elections. PolitiFact has rated one statement, from a 2018 TV ad, False. No ethics, court or campaign finance finding found.
Sources: Illinois State Board of Elections, Raoul for Illinois (committee 18261), PolitiFact, Kwame Raoul scorecard
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Bob Fioretti. As a Democratic alderman, 2007 to 2015, opposed Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel and challenged him for mayor in 2015; later left the Democratic Party. Stands are more than 10 years old (E18).
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 17, 2014, CBS Chicago, Oct. 14, 2025
Kwame Raoul. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Bob Fioretti. Gave an on-record interview to WSIU about the race in October 2026 and publishes campaign events and media interviews.
Source: WSIU, Oct. 9, 2026
Kwame Raoul. Spoke and took questions at a City Club of Chicago event in June 2026. Did not respond to WSIU's October 2026 interview request; no 2026 debate with Bob Fioretti was found.
Sources: Capitol News Illinois, June 10, 2026, WSIU, Oct. 9, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Bob Fioretti. Two terms as 2nd Ward alderman and a long law career with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: WSIU, Oct. 9, 2026
Kwame Raoul. Cook County prosecutor, 14 years as a state senator and attorney general since 2019 with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Bob Fioretti. Sworn Chicago alderman, 2007 to 2015, with no finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified results found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Bob Fioretti
Kwame Raoul. Sworn attorney general since Jan. 15, 2019 with no finding of misuse of office. In December 2020 joined a brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Texas's suit to overturn four states' certified results.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Kwame Raoul, Capitol News Illinois, Dec. 12, 2020
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Bob Fioretti. Chicago alderman for the 2nd Ward, 2007 to 2015, and an attorney who cites service as an assistant Illinois attorney general and with the city's corporation counsel.
Kwame Raoul. Illinois attorney general since 2019, two full terms. State senator for District 13, 2004 to 2019, and earlier a Cook County prosecutor.
Source: Ballotpedia, Kwame Raoul
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Bob Fioretti. Campaign themes are stated in general terms: corruption, crime, civil rights, education and public safety.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, Oct. 1, 2026, Bob for Illinois, home page
Kwame Raoul. Sitting attorney general who chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2013. His office has filed dozens of suits over federal funding cutbacks and negotiated utility rate settlements.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Kwame Raoul (committee assignments, 2017), Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, Oct. 1, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Bob Fioretti. Two channels documented: a broadcast interview and a campaign site with podcasts and media. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Bob Fioretti, Bob for Illinois, home page
Kwame Raoul. Two channels documented: a public City Club of Chicago address with questions and campaign issue statements described by WSIU. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Kwame Raoul, WSIU, Oct. 9, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Bob Fioretti. Born and lives in Chicago; served the 2nd Ward. In-state share of contributions not available from the sources opened.
Source: Ballotpedia, Bob Fioretti
Kwame Raoul. Born in Chicago; represented a South Side Senate district from 2004. In-state share of contributions not available from the sources opened.
Source: Ballotpedia, Kwame Raoul
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Bob Fioretti. Practicing attorney who oversaw the Historic Pullman Foundation; campaign committee reports on file with the State Board of Elections.
Source: Ballotpedia, Bob Fioretti
Kwame Raoul. Heads the Office of the Attorney General, funded at $184.5 million across all funds for fiscal 2026. Campaign committee active since 2004 with reports on file; no Board fine found.
Sources: Capitol News Illinois, June 10, 2026, Illinois State Board of Elections, Raoul for Illinois (committee 18261)
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Bob Fioretti. Represented the family in the 2005 Baby Tamia interstate custody case, which led to changes in Illinois adoption law. No measured aldermanic results found.
Source: CBS Chicago, Oct. 14, 2025
Kwame Raoul. With other states won release of $2 billion in withheld federal funds; a federal judge struck down a federal benefits rule his coalition challenged (Sept. 2026); his office cut a Nicor Gas rate request 63% (2026).
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, Oct. 1, 2026, Capitol News Illinois, Sept. 22, 2026, Capitol News Illinois, Sept. 10, 2026
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Bob Fioretti. No public record found.
Kwame Raoul. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Bob Fioretti. No public record found.
Kwame Raoul. His office takes consumer complaints online through its Consumer Protection division. No published complaint-resolution totals were opened.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Bob Fioretti. No public record found.
Kwame Raoul. His office took part in bipartisan multistate settlements, including a 2024 Kroger opioid settlement whose negotiations he helped lead and a 2026 generic drug settlement with a 48-state bipartisan coalition.
Sources: Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Nov. 4, 2024, Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Feb. 2, 2026
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Bob Fioretti. No public record found.
Kwame Raoul. The Auditor General's compliance examination of the Office of the Attorney General for the two years ended June 30, 2024 gave a modified opinion with material weaknesses and 10 findings, eight repeated.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Illinois attorney general race?
Kwame Raoul has the strongest record in the Illinois attorney general race. Kwame Raoul scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Bob Fioretti at 55, as of October 9, 2026. Kwame Raoul's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Bob Fioretti's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Illinois attorney general race in 2026?
Bob Fioretti (Republican), Kwame Raoul (Democratic, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Bob Fioretti a good candidate for Attorney General?
Bob Fioretti scores 55 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Kwame Raoul a good candidate for Attorney General?
Kwame Raoul scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Illinois race scored, and the Illinois 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.