State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) debates and discusses with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz the unbalanced State Operating Budget that passed on May 31, 2008; the Capital Budget that didn't pass on May 31; the unengaged Governor Rod Blagojevich; the hateful relationship between Hot Rod and Speaker Mike; the derivative bad relationship between Senate President Jones and Speaker Madigan; Illinois' dysfunctional State Democratic Party and almost non-existent State GOP; the fall of the gaming bill; when Sen. Raoul has differed from his party; regional or partisan divides; the potential benefits of allowing Chicago's citizens to possess handguns in their residences; Senator Raoul's support for a constitutional amendment permitting Illinois to have a graduated income tax; Senator Raoul's support for an increase in the income tax; whether Illinois a high tax state; whether it was good politics for Obama to resign from Trinity United Church of Christ (Senator Raoul and his family also are members of that church); whether Senator Raoul is likely to be appointed to replace Cong. Rush, if Cong. Rush has to resign over health issues.
Senator Kwame Raoul was raised in the Hyde Park-Kenword area on the south side of Chicago, an area that is included in the 13th Senate District that he represents. His parents were Haitian-born immigrants and his father was a doctor, with a practice on the south side of Chicago. Senator Raoul holds an undergraduate degree from DePaul University and a law degree from Chicago-Kent law school.
Senator Raoul's legal career includes work as an Assistant State's Attorney, private sector practice and in-house counsel with the City College of Chicago law department. He presently consults as President of Relationship Strategies Inc. with the City Colleges of Chicago. Among other senate committee assignments, Senator Raoul chairs the Senate Pensions and Investments Committee. (less info)