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DOJ gets involved in lawsuit over new Illinois law

WASHINGTON D.C. (WCIA) — The U.S. Department of Justice is intervening in a lawsuit, as it views a new Illinois law governing nonprofits violates the Constitution. Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law in June requiring large nonprofits that report more than $1 million in grants to share data over their leaders' demographics. The law went into effect at the start of the year. DOGE announces closures of 6 Central IL buildings The bill was sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), who said last year the law's goal is to get more organizations to be diverse so they can more effectively help their communities. 'It is crucial for diversity and inclusion to be embraced within the non-profit sector, as many of these organizations serve diverse communities,' Johnson said after her bill was signed. 'Inclusive leadership positions of nonprofits will enhance the organization's overall mission.' The American Alliance For Equal Rights sued several state government leaders including Illinois Department of Human Rights director Jim Bennett in January over the law, calling it 'unfair and illegal'. The U.S. Department of Justice also filed a 'Memorandum of Law in support of United States' Motion to Intervene' for AAER v. Bennett on Tuesday. Court documents show attorneys believe the law violates an Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Bill in Illinois statehouse would require standardized emergency plans for schools 'The United States cannot and will not sit idly while a state denies its citizens equal protection under the guise of diversity,' said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. 'Discrimination in all its forms is abhorrent and must be eliminated. The Department of Justice will continue to exercise its statutory right to intervene in cases whenever a state encourages DEI instead of merit.' One of President Donald Trump's main goals is ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across all forms of government. Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term to end 'DEI's infiltration of the Federal Government'. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.