Kwame Raoul
| Kwame Raoul | |
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| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 13th district |
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Assumed office November 6, 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Barack Obama |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
September 30, 1964 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nationality | American, Haitian |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Kali Raoul |
| Residence | Hyde Park, Chicago |
| Alma mater |
DePaul University Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Religion | United Church of Christ |
Kwame Raoul (born September 30, 1964) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 13th district since his appointment to fill the seat vacated by Barack Obama in 2004. He is the chair of the Illinois Senate's Redistricting Committee and the Senate's Pension & Investments Committee.
Raoul was born in Chicago to Haitian immigrant parents Dr. Janin and Marie Therese Raoul. His name Kwame is a Ghanaian name which means he was born on Saturday. Raoul earned his bachelor's degree in political science from DePaul University and went on to receive his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Raoul was appointed on November 6, 2004 to fill the state Senate vacancy caused by the resignation of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who had just been elected to the United States Senate.
Since his arrival in Springfield, Raoul has successfully advanced legislation promoting civil justice, early childhood education, domestic violence prevention and political reform. In his first year in the General Assembly, Raoul established a progressive agenda. His work led to the passage of laws expanding access to early voting in Illinois, and the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program and a crack down on the Pay Day loan industry.
Raoul has sponsored a bill that would require grants distributed by Illinois State Board of Education to early childhood education and preschool programs to be used to improve and expand the quality of services. He has also backed legislation aimed at easing the reintegration of ex-offenders into the community. His legislation allows good conduct credit to be awarded to inmates who earn their high school diplomas or GEDs, as well as inmates who participate in substance abuse programs.
Raoul has championed legislation on criminal justice reform including the recent historic legislation that abolishes the death penalty and legislation creating the Torture Inquiry Commission. He also championed legislation aimed at breaking the code of silence by deterring intimidation of those who cooperate with law enforcement officers.
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