Latest news with #Raoul
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois AG joins lawsuit to stop federal cuts to science, research programs
CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — The Attorneys General of 16 states, including Illinois, are taking the Trump administration to court in an attempt to stop his cuts to National Science Foundation (NSF) programs. In the lawsuit he and the coalition filed, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is seeking a court order to block the implementation of the NSF's new directives to eliminate programs addressing diversity in STEM. In addition, the changes would eliminate funding and programs that Raoul said, 'help maintain the United States' position as a global leader in STEM.' 'The funds the Trump administration is attempting to cut are vital to addressing the nation's biggest challenges,' Raoul said. 'The impact of these illegal cuts would devastate scientific research at universities in Illinois and across the country and would stall efforts to grow the STEM workforce.' Illinois AG files lawsuits over immigration conditions placed on federal funding Raoul provided background, saying that on April 18, the NFS began terminating grants that funded projects focused on increasing the participation of women, minorities and people with disabilities in STEM fields. On May 2, the NFS announced that it would also cap 'indirect costs' of all NFS-funded research projects, such as laboratory space, equipment and facility services, at 15%. This, Raoul and his counterparts said, would slash millions of dollars from scientific research across the country and jeopardize national security, the economy and public health. The 15% cap would limit scientific research at universities across the country, they said, leading to the abandonment of critical projects and the end of 'essential research.' They also argue that these directives violate federal law. 'The NSF's directives violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution by unlawfully changing NSF policy and ignoring Congress' direction for how the NSF should function,' Raoul wrote in a news release. 'The lawsuit seeks a court order ruling the NSF's new directives are illegal and an injunction blocking their implementation.' Illinois AG wins court order supporting libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses Raoul also noted that per Congress, a 'core strategy' of the NFS's work must be to increase the participation of people who have historically been left out of STEM occupations, and that the strategy to increase participation STEM careers has worked. 'Between 1995 and 2017, the number of women in science and engineering occupations, or with science or engineering degrees, has doubled,' Raoul wrote. 'During that same time, people of color went from 15% to 35% of science and engineering job or degree holders. However, since the NSF's April 18 directive to terminate programs seeking to increase diversity in STEM, dozens of projects have been canceled.' Raoul has been involved in several multi-state lawsuits in the past to object to Trump's policies, including funding cuts. A lawsuit filed in February resulted in court orders that stopped attempts to cap indirect costs for National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Energy (DOE) grants. The latest lawsuit was filed by Raoul and the Attorneys General of the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Attorney General warns of home and business repair scams
CHICAGO (WMBD) — The spring and summer months can be a scary time for many Illinoisans as it has the potential to bring devastating storms, and with this come scammers looking to exploit those affected. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning state residents to be on the lookout for scammers trying to exploit homeowners and businesses in need of repairs, he said in a news release. 'Just as severe weather during Illinois spring months is inevitable, so too are the scammers attempting to take advantage of the devastation left in the storms' wake,' he said. 'I encourage people to use the free resources provided by my office, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and other reputable resources to ensure they choose a trustworthy contractor when assessing any damage and making repair plans. 'People should be wary of any individual who solicits home repair or insurance adjusting services door to door,' Raoul said. General contractors are not required by state law to be licensed, but many local municipalities may require permits, so people should check with their local government to get more information on permit requirements before hiring anyone, Raoul said. He also said some groups are required to have state permits such as public adjusters, roofers and plumbers. Any work that costs more than $1,000 is required to have a written contract signed by both the contractor and the customer, they must have at least the minimum insurance for bodily injury, property damage and improper home repair, he said. In the release, Raoul gives the following tips to avoid dishonest contractors: Be wary of contractors who go door to door to offer repair services or 'free' inspections. Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust and, whenever possible, use established local contractors. Visit the Better Business Bureau's St. Louis or Chicago websites to see if a business is a member and whether any complaints have been lodged against it. Contact Raoul's Consumer Fraud Bureau to ask whether consumers have filed complaints against the contractor. Even if there is a need to act quickly, shop around. Get written estimates from multiple contractors, and don't be rushed into a deal. Get all terms of a contract in writing, and obtain a copy of the signed contract. Never make the full payment until all work has been completed to your satisfaction. Never pay in cash. Be aware that you have the right to cancel a contract within three business days if you signed it based on the contractor's visit to your home. In the case of disaster repair, if your insurance carrier denies coverage, you have the right to cancel the contract within five days of your insurance carrier's denial and within 30 days of receiving the proof of loss from your insurance carrier. Be aware that public adjusters do not work for your insurance company and may charge additional fees. If you submit a claim to your insurance company, your insurance company will likely provide an adjuster to review your claim at no additional cost to you. If you contract with a public adjuster, pay particular attention to the amount of fees being charged and whether you are obligated to use a specific contractor for repairs. Ask to see the required state and local permits and licenses. Insurance adjusters and roofers must be licensed by state agencies. It should raise a red flag if the roofer or adjuster does not have a required license, or if the name on the license doesn't match the name on the business card or truck. Please visit the IDFPR's website, to search for roofing licenses. Visit the DOI's website or call (866) 445-5364 to verify that a public adjuster is licensed and in good standing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump organization to pay $4.8 million to settle fish-kill lawsuit against its Chicago high-rise
CHICAGO — Eight months after a Cook County judge found Trump Tower repeatedly violated clean water laws, the president's business operators agreed Thursday to pay $4.8 million to settle lawsuits alleging the skyscraper's cooling system killed untold numbers of fish in the Chicago River. The glass-and-steel tower, emblazoned with a sign spelling 'TRUMP' in letters more than 20 feet high, is one of the city's largest users of river water for its cooling systems. It siphons nearly 20 million gallons a day through intakes so powerful the machines could fill an Olympic swimming pool in less than an hour, then pumps the water back into the river up to 35 degrees hotter. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and two environmental groups discovered Trump Tower had been operating for years without a valid Clean Water Act permit, unlike other downtown buildings that limit the power of water pumps to protect fish and other aquatic organisms from being pinned against intake screens or killed by sudden changes in pressure and temperature. 'The Chicago River is one of our city's most treasured natural resources, and future generations should benefit from the opportunities for recreation and commerce it provides,' Raoul said in a statement announcing the settlement. If a county judge approves the deal, $3 million will go toward Chicago River habitat improvement and the state will collect a $1.5 million civil penalty. The rest will cover legal costs. Trump Organization representatives have never replied to requests for comment from The Chicago Tribune, which first reported in 2018 that the Trump International Hotel & Tower was the only Chicago high-rise that had failed to document measures it took to protect fish and aquatic life in the river. Trump's Chicago managers were required to conduct a study of fish killed by the luxury hotel and condominium complex as a condition of a 2013 water pollution permit granted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The permit expired in 2017 and has not been renewed. All other users of river water have filed documents with the state outlining how their cooling systems limit fish kills. Most draw substantially less water than Trump Tower and slow the velocity of their intakes to increase the chances fish can swim away safely, records reviewed by the Tribune show. In response to lawsuits filed eight years ago by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Chicago River and Raoul's predecessor, Lisa Madigan, the Trump Organization agreed to complete long-delayed studies of how many fish and other aquatic organisms are pinned against intake screens or killed by sudden changes in pressure and temperature. Not only did the Trump Organization fail to complete the necessary studies, it significantly underestimated the rate at which river water is sucked into the hotel and condo high-rise, making it appear the practice is less harmful than it actually is, Cook County Circuit Judge Thaddeus Wilson ruled in September after the attorney general's office and the environmental groups sued again.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump organization to pay $4.8M to settle fish-kill lawsuit against its Chicago high-rise
Eight months after a Cook County judge found Trump Tower repeatedly violated clean water laws, the president's business operators agreed Thursday to pay $4.8 million to settle lawsuits alleging the skyscraper's cooling system killed untold numbers of fish in the Chicago River. The glass-and-steel tower, emblazoned with a sign spelling 'TRUMP' in letters more than 20 feet high, is one of the city's largest users of river water for its cooling systems. It siphons nearly 20 million gallons a day through intakes so powerful the machines could fill an Olympic swimming pool in less than an hour, then pumps the water back into the river up to 35 degrees hotter. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and two environmental groups discovered Trump Tower had been operating for years without a valid Clean Water Act permit, unlike other downtown buildings that limit the power of water pumps to protect fish and other aquatic organisms from being pinned against intake screens or killed by sudden changes in pressure and temperature. 'The Chicago River is one of our city's most treasured natural resources, and future generations should benefit from the opportunities for recreation and commerce it provides,' Raoul said in a statement announcing the settlement. If a county judge approves the deal, $3 million will go toward Chicago River habitat improvement and the state will collect a $1.5 million civil penalty. The rest will cover legal costs. Trump Organization representatives have never replied to requests for comment from the Chicago Tribune, which first reported in 2018 that the Trump International Hotel & Tower was the only Chicago high-rise that had failed to document measures it took to protect fish and aquatic life in the river. Trump's Chicago managers were required to conduct a study of fish killed by the luxury hotel and condominium complex as a condition of a 2013 water pollution permit granted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The permit expired in 2017 and has not been renewed. All other users of river water have filed documents with the state outlining how their cooling systems limit fish kills. Most draw substantially less water than Trump Tower and slow the velocity of their intakes to increase the chances fish can swim away safely, records reviewed by the Tribune show. In response to lawsuits filed eight years ago by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Chicago River and Raoul's predecessor, Lisa Madigan, the Trump Organization agreed to complete long-delayed studies of how many fish and other aquatic organisms are pinned against intake screens or killed by sudden changes in pressure and temperature. Not only did the Trump Organization fail to complete the necessary studies, it significantly underestimated the rate at which river water is sucked into the hotel and condo high-rise, making it appear the practice is less harmful than it actually is, Cook County Circuit Judge Thaddeus Wilson ruled in September after the attorney general's office and the environmental groups sued again.
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Trump organization to pay $4.8M to settle fish-kill lawsuit against its Chicago high-rise
Eight months after a Cook County judge found Trump Tower repeatedly violated clean water laws, the president's business operators agreed Thursday to pay $4.8 million to settle lawsuits alleging the skyscraper's cooling system killed untold numbers of fish in the Chicago River. The glass-and-steel tower, emblazoned with a sign spelling 'TRUMP' in letters more than 20 feet high, is one of the city's largest users of river water for its cooling systems. It siphons nearly 20 million gallons a day through intakes so powerful the machines could fill an Olympic swimming pool in less than an hour, then pumps the water back into the river up to 35 degrees hotter. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and two environmental groups discovered Trump Tower had been operating for years without a valid Clean Water Act permit, unlike other downtown buildings that limit the power of water pumps to protect fish and other aquatic organisms from being pinned against intake screens or killed by sudden changes in pressure and temperature. 'The Chicago River is one of our city's most treasured natural resources, and future generations should benefit from the opportunities for recreation and commerce it provides,' Raoul said in a statement announcing the settlement. If a county judge approves the deal, $3 million will go toward Chicago River habitat improvement and the state will collect a $1.5 million civil penalty. The rest will cover legal costs. Trump Organization representatives have never replied to requests for comment from the Chicago Tribune, which first reported in 2018 that the Trump International Hotel & Tower was the only Chicago high-rise that had failed to document measures it took to protect fish and aquatic life in the river. Trump's Chicago managers were required to conduct a study of fish killed by the luxury hotel and condominium complex as a condition of a 2013 water pollution permit granted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The permit expired in 2017 and has not been renewed. All other users of river water have filed documents with the state outlining how their cooling systems limit fish kills. Most draw substantially less water than Trump Tower and slow the velocity of their intakes to increase the chances fish can swim away safely, records reviewed by the Tribune show. In response to lawsuits filed eight years ago by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Chicago River and Raoul's predecessor, Lisa Madigan, the Trump Organization agreed to complete long-delayed studies of how many fish and other aquatic organisms are pinned against intake screens or killed by sudden changes in pressure and temperature. Not only did the Trump Organization fail to complete the necessary studies, it significantly underestimated the rate at which river water is sucked into the hotel and condo high-rise, making it appear the practice is less harmful than it actually is, Cook County Circuit Judge Thaddeus Wilson ruled in September after the attorney general's office and the environmental groups sued again.
