Overview
- Chicago filed the case on Oct. 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois with eight other local governments.
- Plaintiffs challenge DHS guidance issued in April that requires grantees to certify they do not operate programs that advance or promote DEI and that they do not run programs that benefit or incentivize illegal immigration.
- The suit argues the rules exceed executive authority and are arbitrary and capricious, and it seeks declaratory and injunctive relief blocking enforcement.
- Chicago estimates it could lose up to $10 million next year, while plaintiffs say tens of millions tied to new awards are at risk.
- The contested grants fund long-standing emergency-preparedness needs such as cybersecurity tools, hazmat equipment, and first-responder support, with co-plaintiffs including Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, New Haven, New York, and Saint Paul.