Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 13 attorneys general on Mar. 18 in urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw a new policy that they say would weaken federal environmental enforcement and delay action against polluters.
The coalition sent a letter to EPA Commissioner Lee Zeldin, warning that the EPA’s December 2025 Compliance First memorandum could slow down enforcement of environmental laws, create bureaucratic obstacles for holding polluters accountable, and increase pollution affecting communities nationwide. The attorneys general argue that the policy would allow polluters to stall investigations by raising legal challenges requiring multiple layers of political review and discourage key enforcement tools such as penalties and injunctive relief.
“The EPA’s new policy will hamper efforts to hold polluters accountable when they damage our environment and threaten public health,” Raoul said. “I will continue to push back against the Trump administration’s goal of shielding polluters by limiting the power of long-standing environmental protection laws.”
Raoul and his colleagues emphasized that strong federal enforcement is necessary because pollution often crosses state boundaries, making it difficult for individual states—even those with robust protections—to address upstream pollution alone. They also warned that delays in enforcement could disproportionately impact communities already burdened by pollution, including communities of color, low-income areas, and rural regions.
The Illinois Attorney General has advocated for vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants, and seniors according to the official website. The office handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to the official website and aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities and advocating for environmental issues according to the official website. Its advocacy extends across Illinois according to the official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and promote open government according to the official website. The office also offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights matters according to the official website.
Raoul was joined in sending the letter by attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.