Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 23 that he is leading a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration for what they describe as unconstitutional and unlawful conditions placed on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding.
The lawsuit challenges new requirements set by the USDA, which threaten to withhold billions in federal funds for programs such as school lunches, nutrition assistance, and rural firefighting unless states comply with policies related to immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity. The attorneys general argue these conditions are unrelated to the core purpose of USDA funding and put essential services at risk for vulnerable groups across Illinois and other states.
“The Trump administration is again demonstrating shocking contempt for the well-being of Americans, including millions of Illinoisians. The USDA’s grant conditions threaten critical nutrition support, rural firefighting capacity and the safety of the national food chain in some of the most vulnerable Illinois communities,” Raoul said. “The USDA is trying to force states like Illinois, which have no choice but to accept vital funding for these programs, to comply with illegal conditions. I am proud to join my coalition partners in fighting back against this coercion and refusing to adopt this administration’s unlawful policies that attack our residents.”
According to Raoul’s office, effective Dec. 31, 2025, new federal guidelines require states receiving USDA funds to promise compliance with unspecified federal policies regarding gender identity and other issues—leaving enforcement at the discretion of current administrators without clear limits or notice.
In their complaint, Raoul and his colleagues allege violations of both the Spending Clause—by imposing unclear or coercive terms—and administrative law standards under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). They note that programs affected include those feeding about 30 million children nationwide through school lunch initiatives as well as providing crucial resources like TEFAP food aid in Illinois’ rural areas where access remains limited despite high agricultural output.
The work aligns with ongoing efforts by the Illinois Attorney General’s office advocating for workers, immigrants and seniors according to its official website. The office handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website, aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities according to its official website, extends advocacy efforts statewide according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies according to its official website, and offers public services such as complaint filing related to consumer fraud or civil rights issues according to its official website.
Joining Attorneys General Raoul are Rob Bonta (California), Andrea Joy Campbell (Massachusetts), Josh Kaul (Wisconsin), along with counterparts from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Virginia Washington.
