AGENCY PROFILE

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Illinois, representing all state officials and agencies and enforcing the laws on behalf of the people of Illinois. In this role, the Government Representation Division provides legal representation to state employees, officials and agencies in all cases in state and federal trial courts and administrative tribunals.

The Attorney General's Office takes legal action to protect the people of Illinois by enforcing the environmental, (Environmental Law and Asbestos Division) antitrust, civil rights and disability rights laws and by representing Illinois consumers in public utility matters (Antitrust, Civil Rights, Disability Rights and Public Utilities are all bureaus within the Public Interest Division). The Office also pursues affirmative complex litigation, including enforcing the state whistleblower law which penalizes those who defraud the state (Special Litigation is a bureau within the Public Interest Division).

The Office also protects the consumers of Illinois by enforcing the consumer protection laws, representing Illinois consumers in matters relating to fraud and deceptive practices and assisting consumers with health insurance-related concerns. Moreover, the Office monitors the activities of Illinois charitable organizations and acts to ensure the proper use of charitable donations to these organizations. (Consumer Fraud, Health Care and Charitable Trust are all bureaus within the Consumer Protection Division).

Through the Criminal Enforcement Division, the Attorney General coordinates crime-fighting activities with state, county and local authorities. In particular, the Attorney General's Office assists state's attorneys in the prosecution of criminals in all regions of the state and handles all cases from DUIs to Death Cases. In addition, specialized bureaus within the Criminal Enforcement Division handle a variety of cases that do not fall within the traditional scope of a local prosecution office such as complex financial cases, public corruption matters, medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, high tech crimes and cases dealing with the involuntary commitment of dangerous sex offenders. The Criminal Enforcement Division also operates a statewide grand jury with jurisdiction over multi-county crimes related to drugs, gangs and guns.

The Office also provides assistance to victims of violent crime and works closely with organizations throughout the state that offer needed services to crime victims and their families. (Crime Victim Services Division)

In addition to engaging in civil and criminal litigation, the Attorney General's Office pursues several policy matters. Policy focuses on Children's, Consumer, Criminal and Women's Policy Issues. Policy advisors in Springfield focus on seniors and methamphetamine issues. Policy advisors in Chicago work on policy initiatives, legislation, taskforces, outreach and training efforts. Policy staff currently oversees the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Team (I-Sort) and the Illinois Youth Court Association.

Beyond trial and policy work, the Office also maintains an appellate practice. The Civil Appeals Division represents state agencies, employees and officials, as well as the people in actions brought by the Attorney General in state and federal courts of appeal. The Criminal Appeals Division represents the state in criminal appeals ranging from habeas corpus actions in the federal courts to death penalty cases in the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Office has approximately 688 employees with full-service offices in Chicago, Springfield and Carbondale. Satellite offices in Chicago and regional offices in Rockford, Quincy, Champaign and Belleville provide support for the operations of the main offices and provide critical locations for citizen intake and community outreach services.

The Office of the Attorney General is committed to protecting and advancing the interests of the people of Illinois through leadership, advocacy and legal representation.

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