Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by former President Trump for imposing tariffs. Raoul, along with a coalition of attorneys general, had previously filed a lawsuit to challenge these tariffs.
“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs on international trade have harmed so many in our state, including families struggling to make ends meet, small business owners, farmers and manufacturers.
“Tariffs are a tax on Americans, and these illegal tariffs threatened Illinois’ economy and have harmed taxpayers by increasing costs to the state and local governments. For example, the Illinois Department of Transportation alone estimated that over two years, the state’s costs for transportation projects would have been $249 million to $585 million higher due to tariffs. Due to our successful lawsuit, increased costs to the state in construction projects, technology and other expenses can also be mitigated.
“Since the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was enacted in 1977, no prior president has attempted to use the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope to implement sweeping, arbitrary tariffs. The Supreme Court rightly determined that the act does not grant the president ‘the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.’
“Today’s ruling makes clear that we are not a nation governed by royal decree. The rule of law matters, and I will continue to fight to protect Illinoisians from the economic costs of the Trump administration’s unlawful actions.”
In April 2025, Raoul joined 11 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit aimed at stopping what they described as illegal tariffs imposed by President Trump. The complaint argued that Congress holds authority over taxes and duties on imported goods. Lower courts sided with the states before the case reached the Supreme Court.
The attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont participated in filing this legal action alongside Raoul.
According to its official website https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/index, the Illinois Attorney General’s office advocates for vulnerable groups such as workers and seniors across Illinois while handling thousands of consumer complaints each year. The office aims to protect consumers and promote safer communities through various services including support for crime victims and open government initiatives.
