Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Seeks Re-election for Third Term, Rules Out Senate and Governor Races
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today that she will seek re-election to a third term as Illinois Attorney General. In making her announcement, Madigan emphasized her desire to continue her work on behalf of the people of Illinois.
“Twelve years ago, I chose a career in public service because I wanted to be in a position to truly help people, to protect them and to improve their lives,” Madigan said. “I am very fortunate that the people of Illinois have given me the opportunity to do just that.”
“As Attorney General, I have fought for the people of Illinois and stood up to national banks, powerful utilities, drug companies, insurance companies, nursing homes, identity thieves and scam artists of every description,” Madigan said. “I have used the power of this office to make a real difference in peoples’ lives since 2003. And I hope to continue doing just that.”
In the midst of an unprecedented mortgage foreclosure crisis, Madigan has been a national leader in the fight against predatory mortgage lenders who used unfair and deceptive practices to take advantage of homeowners.
Madigan sued Countrywide – at the time the nation’s largest mortgage lender – for deceptively placing homeowners into loans that they did not understand, could never afford and could not get out of. As a result of her suit, Madigan led the national settlement with Countrywide, creating the nation’s first mandatory loan modification program which now serves as a model for other lenders and the federal government. Along with this work, Madigan has drafted groundbreaking new state laws to provide greater protections for homeowners and created a Homeowner Helpline in her office to provide direct assistance to thousands of Illinois families who are struggling to stay in their homes.
As part of her extensive work to protect women and children, Madigan drafted a law that provides for lifetime supervision for the most dangerous sex offenders, improved the state’s sex offender registry, and created and leads a statewide law enforcement effort to track sex offenders to ensure their compliance with the registration laws. Madigan also oversees an Internet Crimes against Children task force that has investigated and prosecuted Internet predators and child pornographers. Through this task force, Madigan also provides extensive training for law enforcement on how to track and investigate sex offenders who use the Internet to lure victims.
In response to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s failures to protect consumers from defective and dangerous products – especially children’s toys and cribs – Madigan stepped in to protect Illinois families.
“I refused to ignore the deaths and injuries caused by rare earth magnets, lead-paint covered toys, defective cribs and bassinets,” Madigan said. “I invoked our state laws – and drafted new ones – to remove dangerous products from store shelves, day care centers, and our homes.”
“Now, with a renewed focus on product safety in Washington, my office can partner with federal regulators and significantly enhance the effectiveness of safety measures here in Illinois,” Madigan said.
As part of her work as the state’s chief consumer advocate, Madigan has consistently fought to protect the pocketbooks of Illinois consumers. She has repeatedly served as the voice of ratepayers in opposing utility bill rate hike requests by Illinois utility companies. When the state adopted electricity buying system that resulted in skyrocketing electricity bills, Madigan took action to oppose the new system and ultimately won passage of a law creating a new, fair system that protects consumers. During her tenure as Attorney General, Madigan has obtained well over $1 billion in settlements from utilities who took advantage of the people of Illinois.
Madigan also has made ensuring access to healthcare for all – and especially the thousands of uninsured Illinois families – a top priority. She drafted and successfully negotiated legislation that stops hospitals from price gouging by requiring that they reduce the rates that they charge the uninsured from over 250% above costs to no more than 35% above costs. Madigan’s legislation also makes Illinois the only state in the nation that now protects the uninsured from being pushed into bankruptcy due to a medical emergency by limiting the total amount a hospital can collect to 25% of a family’s annual income.
A consistent leader in the fight for greater government transparency and accountability, Madigan created Illinois’ first-ever Public Access Counselor to ensure that government officials comply with the state’s Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Acts. During the recent legislative session, Madigan worked with open government and reform advocates to draft and pass a FOIA re-write that greatly strengthens the law and makes it enforceable.
“Our citizens deserve a government they can trust – one that truly works for its people,” Madigan said. “I promise those of you looking for leaders who will restore honesty and integrity to Illinois government, I will continue to fight for you.”
‘I know that the best way for me to continue serving the people of Illinois is to continue doing the job that I love,” Madigan said.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary Morrissey, 312-670-0606
mmorrissey@lisamadigan.org
