Latest news with #BruceRauner
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Federal judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit over Illinois sanctuary laws
A U.S. district court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against the state of Illinois and multiple jurisdictions over their sanctuary laws. Illinois signed the Trust Act into law in 2017 under Republican governor Bruce Rauner, instructing state and local law enforcement not to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in cases of civil immigration enforcement activities. The act does not prohibit law enforcement from cooperating with ICE for cases involving a criminal warrant or other court order. In the decision, the judge granted Illinois' motion to dismiss on the basis that the Trump administration "lacks standing to sue them with the respect to the Sanctuary Policies." The judge also dismissed a lawsuit against the Cook County Board of Commissioners because it's not a separate entity from Cook County in such a way to make it suable. The lawsuit was dismissed in its entirety without prejudice, and the Trump administration can amend its complaint and file again by a separate, undisclosed date, the ruling said. The judge said if an amended lawsuit is not filed by that date, this one will convert to being dismissed with prejudice. Gov. JB Pritzker responded to the lawsuit's dismissal on social media, posting, "Illinois just beat the Trump Administration in federal court. Their case challenging the bipartisan TRUST Act was dismissed — unlike the President, we follow the law and listen to the courts." In a further statement from the governor's office, Pritzker added, "This court ruling shows what we already knew: Illinois' law has always been and still is compliant with federal law. Illinois ensures law enforcement time and energy is spent fighting crime -- not carrying out the Trump Administration's unlawful policies or troubling tactics." The White House has not issued a statement or released any comment in reaction to the court's decision.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit against Chicago 'sanctuary' laws
A judge in Illinois dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit Friday that sought to disrupt limits Chicago imposes on cooperation between federal immigration agents and local police. The lawsuit, filed in February, alleged that so-called sanctuary laws in the nation's third-largest city 'thwart' federal efforts to enforce immigration laws. It argued that local laws run counter to federal laws by restricting 'local governments from sharing immigration information with federal law enforcement officials' and preventing immigration agents from identifying 'individuals who may be subject to removal.' Judge Lindsay Jenkins of the Northern District of Illinois granted the defendants' motion for dismissal. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was pleased with the decision and the city is safer when police focus on the needs of Chicagoans. 'This ruling affirms what we have long known: that Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance is lawful and supports public safety. The City cannot be compelled to cooperate with the Trump Administration's reckless and inhumane immigration agenda,' he said in a statement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Heavily Democratic Chicago has been a sanctuary city for decades and has beefed up its laws several times, including during Trump's first term in 2017. That same year, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed more statewide sanctuary protections into law, putting him at odds with his party.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit against Chicago 'sanctuary' laws
CHICAGO (AP) — A judge in Illinois dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit Friday that sought to disrupt limits Chicago imposes on cooperation between federal immigration agents and local police. The lawsuit, filed in February, alleged that so-called sanctuary laws in the nation's third-largest city 'thwart' federal efforts to enforce immigration laws. It argued that local laws run counter to federal laws by restricting 'local governments from sharing immigration information with federal law enforcement officials' and preventing immigration agents from identifying 'individuals who may be subject to removal.' Judge Lindsay Jenkins of the Northern District of Illinois granted the defendants' motion for dismissal. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was pleased with the decision and the city is safer when police focus on the needs of Chicagoans. 'This ruling affirms what we have long known: that Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance is lawful and supports public safety. The City cannot be compelled to cooperate with the Trump Administration's reckless and inhumane immigration agenda,' he said in a statement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Heavily Democratic Chicago has been a sanctuary city for decades and has beefed up its laws several times, including during Trump's first term in 2017. That same year, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed more statewide sanctuary protections into law, putting him at odds with his party.
Chicago Tribune
17-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Willie Wilson: Is Illinois' state procurement being used effectively to stabilize communities of color?
Government contracting with local businesses is a widely used tool to help stabilize communities. The effective use of procurement — sourcing, purchasing and managing goods and services a state agency needs to operate — can aid in job and wealth creation and lower crime. The state of Illinois spends billions of dollars annually on procurement. In 2013, African Americans, who represented 9.5% of the ownership of businesses, received less than 1% of the total contracts awarded by the state of Illinois. In 2015, the General Assembly and then-Gov. Bruce Rauner authorized creating the Fair Practices in Contracting Task Force. I served as chairman of the task force, and our final report in 2018 offered recommendations to make contracting more equitable. Our extensive work involved examining the contracting of every state agency. Our goal was to ensure parity in state contracting and boost businesses that have been left out. Gov. JB Pritzker in 2021 authorized creating the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion. The same year, in signing legislation to expand economic opportunity, Pritzker noted that 'these four bills mark significant progress in our efforts to close the racial gaps and eliminate barriers that have for too long unfairly held Black and Brown Illinoisans back.' Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch said it was 'a monumental step toward our mission of addressing systemic racism by expanding economic access and opportunity.' The Commission on Equity and Inclusion was created in part to expand access to state contracts for minorities, women, people with disabilities and veterans. Clearly, the commission followed the work of the contracting task force. The governor could have collaborated with the task force since the goals were aligned. It is fair to ask: How has the commission improved state contracting with minority-owned firms? According to the commission's fiscal year 2024 expenditure report, much work remains to be done. A few highlights from the report: There are other examples of Illinois agencies that could do more by way of procurement with Black-owned businesses. But the most egregious example is the Department of Corrections. Consider that African Americans represent 54.5% of the total prison population in Illinois. Black people make up the majority of prisoners in Illinois, and Black businesses receive less than 0.5% of state contracts with the IDOC. Black businesses could supply clothing, food, water, cleaning supplies and other items necessary to run the prison system. An inclusive state requires accountability and removal of systemic barriers for Black businesses. In spite of affirmative action and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, disparities persist in access by Black people to capital, markets and other resources. Consequences of these disparities are high crime, inflation, poverty and double-digit unemployment in the Black community. Black-owned businesses and state governments face existential threats from the current political and legal landscape and uncertain tariff policies. However, elected leaders must not be deterred in correcting past wrongs and ensuring that all communities benefit from the use of public tax dollars through government contracting. The following are recommendations to help sustain and grow the number of Black-owned businesses: Contracting officers and elected leaders must be held accountable for their failure to improve procurement numbers for Black-owned businesses. I will convene 2,000 faith leaders and minority business owners around the state to provide recommendations regarding parity in contracting to elected leaders. Government contracting done right can have an enormous benefit to minority-owned businesses and marginalized communities. As a business owner, I reinvest my profits from contracts back into the community. Small businesses can help provide community stability. I write this commentary to make those comfortable with allowing barriers to limit state procurement contracts for Black-owned businesses uncomfortable. Willie Wilson is a business owner, philanthropist and former mayoral candidate.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announces he's running for a third term
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced he is running for a third term Thursday morning. Pritzker posted a video announcing his run on his official website at 8 a.m. Pritzker was first elected to office in 2018. He defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. In 2022, Pritzker won a second term in office, defeating Republican Darren Bailey. There has been speculation in recent months that he might run for president in 2028, particularly following a speech in April in which he took to task both President Trump and the shortcomings within his own Democratic Party. Pritzker has been one of the most outspoken critics of President Donald Trump. Most recently, Pritzker called Trump's immigration policies an "abuse of power." "We will not participate in abuses of power," Pritzker said after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard during anti-ICE protests in LA. "We will not violate court orders. We will not ignore the Constitution. We will not defy the Supreme Court. We will not take away people's right to peacefully protest. We also respect and expect this administration to respect the traditions and legal precedents that dictate how and when our National Guard and military are deployed." The governor has an event Thursday morning at 10 a.m. on the South Side of Chicago formally launching his campaign and a statewide tour.
