City Of Chicago Joins Nationwide Coalition in Lawsuit to Challenge the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Firing of Federal Employees
illi News/10299110

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago joined a coalition of cities, counties, union organizations, and non-profit groups in opposing the Trump administration's unlawful reorganization of the federal government, arguing that the President does not possess the authority to dismantle, downsize, or otherwise transform federal agencies without Congressional approval. The Trump Administration's actions violate the separation of powers, and the complaint seeks to stop this unconstitutional overreach, which is already disrupting essential city services.

"I am proud that Chicago is taking this stand with cities, counties, and workers from across the country," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "The Trump Administration's plan to gut the federal government threatens our way of life and would significantly impact our ability to keep residents and communities safe and healthy. We cannot abide by that. With this lawsuit, we uphold our duty to come together and decisively call out the reckless dismantling of our government."

The case seeks a court's intervention to stop the implementation of the President's unlawful Executive Order 14210 ("Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative"), which requires federal agencies to conduct mass firings and reorganize their structure—all without Congressional authorization. The coalition makes clear in the complaint that the President does not have constitutional authority to unilaterally reorganize the federal government.

More on illi News

• New Professional Association to Study Principles of Hospitality Applied to the Delivery of Healthcare
• Clinical Endpoints Successfully Met in Study for Groundbreaking 12-Lead ECG Synthesis Technology Allowing Software Application to FDA: HeartBeam, Inc
• DATA BREACH ALERT: Edelson Lechtzin LLP Is Investigating Claims On Behalf Of Medical Express Ambulance, Inc. Customers Whose Data May Have Been Compromised
• Boston Industrial Solutions, Inc. Unveils Natron® 504N UV LED Inks Designed for EPSON Printheads
• Kavelle Christie: Trump's First 100 Days Mark Alarming Breakdown in Healthcare, Public Health, and Freedoms

President Trump's government restructuring is already having an impact on city functions. Federal agencies play a crucial role in emergency response, public safety, environmental protection, and public health. The administration's attempt to dismantle these institutions will leave Chicago without the critical resources needed to protect residents.

Impact on Chicago's Essential Services Include:

• Weather & Emergency Preparedness: The elimination of the National Weather Service (NWS) would strip Chicago of real-time weather data that the City relies on to safely plan large-scale outdoor events like Lollapalooza and NASCAR Chicago and undermine emergency response efforts during severe weather events.
• Disaster Response: Cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would severely limit disaster relief capabilities Chicago relies on following a Major Disaster Declaration.
• Environmental Protection: Staffing reductions at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would hinder Chicago's ability to remediate contaminated sites such as Brownfields and Superfund locations.  
• Public Health: Reductions in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have already threatened the Chicago Department of Public Health's (CDPH) ability to track and respond to health crises by limiting or eliminating national data collection projects. These cuts are also limiting access to federal infectious disease experts CDPH relies on to help make time-sensitive decisions regarding resource allocations.  

"The Trump Administration's attempt to dismantle essential government functions represents an unprecedented overreach by the executive branch," said Corporation Counsel Mary B. Richardson-Lowry. "These actions threaten public safety and critical services our residents rely on. This lawsuit aims to preserve federal protections and ensure Chicagoans continue to receive the support they need."

More on illi News

• Naperville: 100 Block Locust Court Structure Fire
• Naperville: Bulk Brush Collection to Help Residents With Spring Yard Clean-Ups
• Late-Breaking Research from SK Life Science Labs at AACR Annual Meeting Shows p300-Selective Degraders are Potent Growth Inhibitors in Models of Aggressive Prostate Cancers and Solid Tumors
• OpenSSL Technical Advisory Committee Elections Now Open – Cast Your Vote
• RallyCap Sports Launches New Illinois Chapter: Inclusive Sports Coming to Sheridan!

Deputy Corporation Counsel Stephen J. Kane added, "The Trump Administration's mass layoffs and reorganization of the federal government are part of the Administration's broader effort to cut services that local governments and their residents depend on. This lawsuit demonstrates the City's commitment to protect Chicagoans from the Trump Administration's illegal actions."

In addition to Chicago, the coalition includes the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and four AFGE locals; American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and SEIU Local 1000; Alliance for Retired Americans, American Geophysical Union; American Public Health Association; Center for Taxpayer Rights; Coalition to Protect America's National Parks; Common Defense; Main Street Alliance; NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council); Northeast Organic Farming Association Inc.; VoteVets; Western Watersheds Project; City and County of San Francisco, California; County of Santa Clara, California; City of Baltimore, Maryland; Harris County, Texas; and King County, Washington. The case, AFGE v. Trump, was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

---

Show All News | Report Violation