Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a coalition of 22 attorneys general and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit to stop President Trump’s latest attempt to impose tariffs on American businesses and consumers. The suit argues that these new tariffs were put in place without congressional approval.
“Despite our clear and decisive Supreme Court win in our first illegal tariffs lawsuit, President Trump is doubling down on his failed economic policies by imposing another round of price increases on Americans,” Raoul said. “Since the Trade Act of 1974 was enacted, no prior president has attempted to use the extraordinary power of Section 122 to unilaterally impose sweeping, arbitrary tariffs. I am proud to join my colleagues in yet another fight to prevent hardworking Americans from footing the bill for the Trump administration’s unlawful tariffs.”
The lawsuit claims that the administration’s actions violate legal requirements, disrupt constitutional separation of powers, and do not comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.
In April 2025, Raoul and other officials challenged an earlier set of tariffs introduced by executive order. That case argued only Congress can “lay and collect” taxes. The administration cited powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which applies only during emergencies presenting an “unusual and extraordinary threat” from abroad. The coalition maintained this did not give authority for such broad tariffs.
Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s use of IEEPA for imposing these tariffs.
Following that decision, President Trump used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—a provision never previously used—to announce new 15% tariffs on most worldwide products. According to Raoul and others involved in this lawsuit, Section 122 allows for certain trade measures only when there are “large and serious balance-of-payments deficits.” They argue that a trade deficit does not meet this requirement.
The first round of tariffs had significant financial implications for Illinois’ economy. For instance, estimates from the Illinois Department of Transportation indicated transportation project costs could have increased by $249 million to $585 million over two years due to those measures. Although last month’s Supreme Court ruling may have reduced some projected expenses related to construction projects or technology procurement, state officials say newly imposed tariffs threaten renewed harm.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office supports vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants, and seniors while handling thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website. The office also works toward protecting consumers, promoting safer communities, advocating for environmental causes and rights issues across Illinois (source). Additionally, it partners with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and encourage open government (source), offering services like complaint filing related to consumer fraud or civil rights (source).
Other states joining Raoul in this legal challenge include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia Washington and Wisconsin.
