Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx ruled out a run for Illinois Attorney General Monday, three days after Lisa Madigan’s announcement that she would not seek another term sent shockwaves through the state’s political circles.
"I was elected to reform the criminal justice system in Cook County and remain committed to that endeavor," Foxx said in a statement. "We have made significant progress during my first 10 months in office and there is much more work to do."
While at least a dozen names were floated in discussions of who might run for the coveted position, some just minutes after Madigan’s announcement, Foxx remained silent through Monday despite rampant speculation.
"I wonder if in the year of the woman and with so many women leaving Illinois politics, could we see Kim Foxx step up?" Democratic strategist Ron Holmes asked, citing Foxx’s $250,000 in campaign cash on hand, her high favorable ratings in county-wide polling, and the ability to say she’s run a law office.
However, the first African-American female Cook County State’s Attorney made it clear she is not seeking to replace the first female Illinois Attorney General. Elected in 2016, the Democrat previously served as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and as an Assistant State’s Attorney prior to that.
Some female lawmakers, like Reps. Elaine Nekritz and Ann Williams, are considering a run, as well as state Sens. Kwame Raoul, Michael Hastings and Ira Silverstein.
They join a wide field of potential candidates that is expected to thin quickly, as they will have to make their decisions in time to fundraise, circulate nominating petitions and campaign statewide ahead of the primary on March 20.
