Illinois Attorney General Opposes Federal Plan to Weaken Endangered Species Protections

CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general opposing a proposed federal rule that would remove key protections under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, introduced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, would alter the definition of “harm” to exclude habitat destruction, which could make it harder to protect wildlife dependent on critical ecosystems. Raoul and his counterparts argue the change would violate federal law and reduce the ability to safeguard species at risk of extinction. The letter was sent to the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Commerce.