Based in Chicago and Springfield, the attorney general is responsible for providing legal counsel for the various state agencies including the governor of Illinois and Illinois General Assembly, as well as conducting all legal affairs pertaining to the state.

The office of Illinois Attorney General was established on December 3, 1818, based on guidelines adopted by a state constitutional convention.

[1][2] The first person to fulfill the duties of the office was Daniel Pope Cook who only served eleven days, and was later elected to the United States Congress.

Under the Constitution of Illinois, the attorney general is the state's chief legal officer, and has the powers and duties prescribed by law.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Illinois Compiled Statutes.