Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19, and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will get re-tested after attending a south suburban event with the attorney general 10 days ago.
Raoul said he began experiencing minor symptoms over the weekend and tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday. Raoul, 55, 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 Illinois Attorney General’s office said Raoul has been in the Chicago office over the last couple of weeks, but the “vast majority” of his meetings and events have been conducted on Zoom or Skype.
Raoul, however, attended a South Suburban Day of Action event in Calumet City on June 6, alongside Pritzker and other elected officials. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Fox and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus were also in attendance.
Raoul also attended a PPE giveaway on June 13 at the Edward G. Irvin Foundation near Jackson Park, his office said.
“The Attorney General wore a mask at both events, and we have notified organizers so that individuals who came into contact with the Attorney General can seek the advice of their medical provider and self-quarantine,” Raoul spokeswoman Tori Joseph said.
Pritzker’s office on Tuesday said Pritzker and all staffers who attended the event will get re-tested for COVID-19 in light of Raoul’s diagnosis.
“The Governor attended an event with the Attorney General on Saturday, June 6th. The Governor always wears a mask and will be tested again today after attending a march and other public events,” Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said, adding that Pritzker called Raoul to wish him a “speedy recovery.”
In early May, a member of Pritzker’s senior staff tested positive for COVID-19, and all staffers — including the governor — worked from home for two weeks. Pritzker had tested negative for coronavirus in May.
Raoul 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.
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