Raoul Leads Lawsuit Over Federal Law Enforcement Funding Conditions

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is co leading a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to tie federal public safety grants to immigration enforcement requirements. The lawsuit argues the conditions are unlawful and could affect funding used by state and local law enforcement agencies. One of the programs involved is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grants, which has provided Illinois with more than $25 million in law enforcement funding over the past four fiscal years for equipment, training and other needs. The coalition is asking a federal court to block the conditions, arguing immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that the administration’s actions violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution.