Chicago City Wire

Chicago CityMayor's Office issued the following announcement on June 6.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today applauded the ruling by the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania that prevents the U.S. Department of Justice from imposing new conditions on a federal grant that provides critical crime prevention funds for community policing efforts and other public safety measures. Chicago signed two amicus briefs in support of the case – The City of Philadelphia v. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III, Attorney General of the United States.

"Chicago is proud to support our city partners across the nation in the legal fight against the Trump Justice Department. The attempt to impose illegal conditions on public safety grants is not only hampering efforts to fight crimes, but it is clearly unconstitutional," said Mayor Emanuel. "Immigrants and refugees from around the world have always looked to Chicago as a place where the American Dream is possible. We will not be bullied, intimidated or coerced into making a false choice between our values as a welcoming city and the principles of community policing."

This is the sixth time a federal court has ruled against the Trump Administration in its attempts to punish cities by withholding federal funds.

The ruling is the latest victory in a legal battle that also includes the City of Chicago's lawsuit, in August 2017, after the Department of Justice published the application for FY2017 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, which provides states and cities with federal funding to support local law enforcement efforts. In September, Judge Harry D. Leinenweber of the Northern District of Illinois granted the City of Chicago’s request for a nationwide preliminary injunction against two new conditions imposed on FY2017 JAG funds. The Attorney General appealed that ruling, and a panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously concluded that the conditions are unlawful.

Over the years, Chicago has used Byrne JAG funds for a variety of purposes that benefit public safety, including the purchase of SWAT equipment, police vehicles, radios and tasers. Last year, the City of Chicago received $2.3 million in Byrne JAG funds.

Original source can be found here.