Overview
- Filed in the Northern District of Illinois, the case names Chicago as lead plaintiff with New York, Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, St. Paul, New Haven and Baltimore, and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
- According to the complaint, April DHS guidance conditions eligibility on certifying that jurisdictions do not operate programs that advance or promote DEI or DEIA.
- Chicago estimates up to about $10 million could be lost next year for training, hazmat gear, cybersecurity tools and emergency operations centers, with roughly $100 million at stake across plaintiffs, though no grants have been withheld yet.
- Denver confirmed its participation Tuesday, noting it previously won restoration of counterterrorism funds in a separate suit but was later told future reimbursements would hinge on DEI-related certifications.
- DHS defended the controls as lawful safeguards requiring recipients to avoid using federal dollars for DEI initiatives or other unrelated activities, citing direction from Secretary Kristi Noem.