Asian American Attorney and Former Northfield Trustee Steve Kim Announces Historic Bid for Illinois Attorney General
Kim will focus on protection of small business and the elderly and disabled communities
Chicago, IL – Former Northfield trustee and Illinois attorney Steve H. Kim today announced his candidacy for Illinois Attorney General. Kim, a Korean American from Northbrook, is the first Asian American in the Republican Party to run for statewide office in Illinois.
A legal advisor to small and medium sized domestic and international companies, Kim outlined his goals for the campaign and the Office of Illinois Attorney General, promising to bring a fresh voice and independent perspective to the office.
Flanked by leaders of the Illinois Asian American community and Republican leaders including Congressman Mark Kirk, candidate for the United States Senate; Senator Dan Rutherford, candidate for Illinois Treasurer; Senator Christine Radogno, the Illinois Senate Minority Leader; Robert Enriquez, candidate for Secretary of State; and DuPage County Commissioner and General Counsel for the Illinois Republican Party Brien Sheahan, candidate for Illinois State Representative 41st District, Kim detailed his plans to focus efforts on protection of small business owners and the elderly and disabled communities in Illinois.
“Through my work as a counselor for small business, I have seen many fraudulent practices targeted at small businesses. Many of these businesses are run by immigrants and minorities without the resources to protect themselves before the fraud occurs or recover losses after the fact. The Illinois Attorney General should focus on small business fraud protection, particularly in this economic environment which heightens fraudulent activity,” said Kim.
“I have known and worked with Steve Kim for more than a decade. As a lawyer and public servant, Steve worked to increase exports, create jobs and boost incomes for Illinois families. As a civic leader, we worked together to reunite Korean-Americans with their divided families in North Korea. I am proud to celebrate this historic moment for our state and our Party,” said Congressman Mark Kirk.
Kim also intends to focus protection efforts on the elderly and disabled in Illinois. Disabled residents are more than ever able to live full and productive lives – working full-time jobs and securing credit for car payments, credit cards and renting or owning residences. Unfortunately, this leaves them vulnerable, and perpetrators more often focus on the disabled. Elderly residents are often also a target, because of their perception as wealthier but more vulnerable.
“I have witnessed how my family member is bombarded with offers by financial institutions and credit card companies. Even when I and other family members have told solicitors to stop targeting him, they come back again and again,” said Kim. “The Illinois Attorney General must be a fierce advocate for the elderly and disabled to prevent them from being victimized.”
Kim’s public and private experience has taken him across the globe advocating in myriad ways for the growth and success of small businesses in Illinois. He currently serves as general counsel for an international manufacturing company based in Huntley, IL.
Kim began his career as Special Assistant to former Governor Jim Edgar where he advised the Governor on international trade and Asian Affairs issues. Kim was also the International Trade Specialist at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs where he directed the State’s export promotion and trade activities for Asia.
After Edgar’s retirement from office, Kim served as the Director of Export and International Trade for the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce where he directed the chamber’s international trade department. He also served as Director of External Affairs for AT&T and was a Vice President for Government and Public Affairs at Time Warner Cable Corporation, providing regulatory, public affairs and government affairs counsel to those companies
Additionally, Kim is an advocate for the Asian American and Korean American communities and currently serves as chairman of the Korean American Coalition of the Midwest. Previously, Kim has served on the boards of the American Cancer Society (Northeast Unit), Northeastern Illinois University Foundation, Korean American Community Services, and Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka Asian Pacific American Advisory Council.
“I’m extremely proud to be the first-ever Asian American Republican candidate for a statewide office in Illinois,” said Kim. “Asian Americans are a historically under-represented voice in Illinois and national politics, and we are a voice that wants not only to be heard by those in positions of leadership but to hold those positions ourselves. The contributions to and the success of Asians in American life is a remarkable story of education, hard work and faith in family and community.”
Learn more about Steve Kim’s campaign for Illinois Attorney General at www.stevekimforag.com.
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