Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 19 that he has joined a coalition of 24 states and 12 local governments in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its decision to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which determined that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles contribute to climate change and threaten public health.
The lawsuit is significant because it challenges an action that could remove existing federal standards for vehicle emissions, potentially impacting efforts to address climate change and protect public health. The coalition argues that the EPA’s move disregards scientific evidence and legal precedent.
“Rescinding this EPA determination will undo progress we have made to address climate change by eliminating existing EPA greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles and undermining the EPA’s mandate to regulate harmful air pollution that causes climate change,” Raoul said. “I proudly stand against this reckless and unlawful attempt to strike down science-backed emission standards that protect the environment and our health.”
The original Endangerment Finding followed a Supreme Court decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, confirming the agency’s authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases. Since then, federal standards have led to reductions in vehicle emissions. The new rule would eliminate these standards, which Raoul and his colleagues say violates both legal obligations and scientific consensus.
The coalition warns that removing these protections could endanger millions of Americans, especially those in communities already facing environmental harm, while causing disruption across industries and natural resources. Recent severe weather events in Illinois—including major floods in 2019, storms in Cook County during June and July 2023, and flooding in August 2025—have caused billions of dollars in damage, highlighting what they describe as the real-world impacts of climate change.
Raoul has previously submitted comment letters urging the EPA not to proceed with rescinding the finding. He is joined by attorneys general from states including California, New York, Michigan, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, among others; city governments such as Chicago and Los Angeles; as well as several counties.
According to the official website, the Illinois Attorney General advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors. The office also handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website. In addition to environmental advocacy efforts like this lawsuit, the Attorney General aims to protect consumers, promote safer communities and advocate for rights issues statewide.
The Attorney General extends advocacy efforts throughout Illinois according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies on crime victim support initiatives according to its official website, and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights violations according to its official website.
