Chicago City Wire

The City of Chicago, along with the City of Saint Paul, has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding conditions attached to a $6.25 million grant from the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. The suit, filed in the Northern District of Illinois, challenges new requirements that cities must certify they do not operate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs considered unlawful by DOJ and that they do not restrict cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement.

“Chicago will not be intimidated into abandoning our values or compromising our safety,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Putting the safety of Chicagoans in jeopardy in pursuit of political ends is simply reprehensible. Community policing is fundamental to building a safer city and upholding diversity is an essential part of who we are as a city. We will not back down from that commitment, and we will fight to ensure that we receive every single dollar that is entitled to Chicago. My administration will continue to hold the Trump administration accountable for their attempts to withhold vital public safety resources for Chicagoans.”

According to city officials, the DOJ’s new grant conditions require recipients to certify they are not using funds for DEI-related programs deemed discriminatory by the federal government and that they comply with all presidential executive orders as well as immigration-related stipulations. The lawsuit argues these requirements were not authorized by Congress and claim they leverage community policing funds for political purposes.

“Chicago and Saint Paul filed this complaint to enjoin DOJ from imposing unlawful conditions that keep our cities safe,” said Corporation Counsel Mary B. Richardson-Lowry. “Congress appropriated these funds to strengthen community policing by enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our cities have long relied on COPS Grants to support vital public safety functions.”

The COPS Hiring Program supports full-time law enforcement positions tailored to local community policing strategies. Since 2009, Chicago has used these grants for recruiting and training officers aimed at improving neighborhood trust and public safety. This year’s funding would help hire about 50 new officers.

The legal action alleges violations of several federal statutes and constitutional provisions including the Spending Clause, Separation of Powers, and Administrative Procedure Act, contending that the Executive Branch overstepped its authority in setting these conditions.

Chicago and Saint Paul are seeking a court order declaring these conditions illegal, preventing DOJ from enforcing them, and vacating them as void.

The Johnson administration notes it has participated in more than 40 legal actions against policies under the Trump administration aimed at withholding federal funding from Chicago.