Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Raoul said he began experiencing minor symptoms over the weekend and tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday. Raoul is the highest ranking Illinois politician known to have contracted COVID-19.
“I have been self-isolating since the onset of my symptoms and I will continue to do so in accordance with guidance from my doctor and public health authorities,” Raoul said in a statement.” Additionally, we are in the process of notifying individuals I may have come into contact with so that they can self-isolate and seek telehealth guidance.”
The attorney general said his symptoms are mild, and he has been in contact with his staff to continue operations of the attorney general’s office. He also urged everyone in the state to follow safety guidelines.
“Although the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois is decreasing, I urge people to follow guidance from public health officials by staying at least 6 feet away from others, wearing a face mask when around others and washing your hands often,” he said in the statement.
Raoul took office in January 2019, replacing Lisa Madigan, who decided not to run for a fifth four-year term as attorney general. Raoul is a former assistant Cook County prosecutor who won his state Senate seat in 2004 after being tapped to fill the vacancy left by President Barack Obama when Obama ran for the U.S Senate. In the state Senate, Raoul was commended for his work on criminal justice reforms, including sponsoring legislation to abolish the death penalty.
The Chicago native and son of Haitian immigrants has also been a key critic of President Trump on immigration issues.
In early May, a member of Gov J.B. Pritzker’s senior staff tested positive for COVID-19, and all staffers — including the governor — worked from home for two weeks. Pritzker has tested negative for coronavirus.
