By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD- The major party candidates for Illinois Attorney General are debating about whether they want to debate each other.
They’re also sounding off on the office’s role of fighting public corruption.
Speaking at Governor’s Day events at the Illinois State Fair last week, Republican Illinois Attorney General candidate Erika Harold said her opponent, Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul, has tried to dismiss her as nothing more than a pageant winner. She also said Raoul was trying to limit the number of public debates.
“Our state deserves an attorney general who is tough enough to stand on any stage with any person even if that person is just a mere Miss American,” Harold said.
After Democrat Day speeches last week, Raoul, D-Chicago, said that he’s not trying to skirt debates. He said he’s ready for debates. He said he took part in more than 30 debates and forums in the crowded Democratic primary for attorney general.
“I think Erika Harold was running away from debates in the Republican primary because of her lack of experience, which her Republican opponent was pointing out,” Raoul said.
“Senator Raoul is flat-out wrong,” Harold’s campaign said in a statement. “In the primary, Erika participated in many debates and forums, even ones where Democratic AG candidates participated.”
There will be a forum hosted by the Illinois Farm Bureau Wednesday featuring Harold and Raoul separately answering questions. Gov. Bruce Rauner and J.B. Pritzker will also attend the forum separately.
Harold’s campaign said other confirmed appearances are a joint appearance Sept. 18 at the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board and another joint appearance at the Chicago Tribune editorial board Sept. 25.
“Additionally, Erika and Sen. Raoul have agreed in concept to one televised debate in the Chicagoland area and one live radio debate downstate, but those details have yet to be confirmed,” the statement said.
There are other invitations Harold’s campaign said they’ve agreed to but Raoul’s campaign has not yet confirmed.
“As Illinois voters have not had the ability to vote for a new Attorney General in nearly 16 years, Erika believes it is paramount that both her and Sen. Raoul participate in as many televised or broadcasted debates as possible between now and November,” the statement said. “What has been confirmed and scheduled thus far is insufficient.”
On fighting corruption, Harold said Raoul has been lockstep with House Speaker Michael Madigan for years.
“Illinois deserves an attorney general who is tough,” Harold said. “Tough enough to fight for the people’s interest and who will not cave to political interests. I will be that attorney general for all of Illinois.”
Gov. Bruce Rauner gave $1 million to Harold’s campaign. The governor said Harold would prosecute his political nemesis, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, for unspecified corruption.
Rauner and Republicans say Madigan has a conflict of interest in helping craft the state’s property tax laws while his law firm helps lower property tax bills for clients.
Asked about the perceived conflict, Raoul said it’s up to the state legislature.
“I’m welcome to having that debate and making a decision on that type of conflict, as well as any other type of conflict presented to the legislature,” Raoul said.
Raoul said he has a record of fighting for public transparency by helping create the Office of the Public Access Counselor at the attorney general’s office, but with a backlog of cases, Raoul said the office needs more resources.
Raoul and Harold also face Libertarian attorney general candidate Bubba Harsy of DuQuoin.
