Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the president’s unprecedented and unlawful use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general had previously sued to stop the arbitrary use of tariffs. 

“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs on international trade have harmed so many in our state, including families struggling to make ends meet, small business owners, farmers and manufacturers.

“Tariffs are a tax on Americans, and these illegal tariffs threatened Illinois’ economy and have harmed taxpayers by increasing costs to the state and local governments. For example, the Illinois Department of Transportation alone estimated that over two years, the state’s costs for transportation projects would have been $249 million to $585 million higher due to tariffs. Due to our successful lawsuit, increased costs to the state in construction projects, technology and other expenses can also be mitigated.  

“Since the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was enacted in 1977, no prior president has attempted to use the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope to implement sweeping, arbitrary tariffs. The Supreme Court rightly determined that the act does not grant the president ‘the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.’ 

“Today’s ruling makes clear that we are not a nation governed by royal decree. The rule of law matters, and I will continue to fight to protect Illinoisians from the economic costs of the Trump administration’s unlawful actions.” 

In April 2025, Raoul and 11 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit to halt the implementation of the illegal tariffs. In their complaint, Raoul and the attorneys general argued that the authority to lay and collect taxes and duties on imported goods lies with Congress. The lower courts ruled in favor of the states, explaining that President Trump’s attempt to implement sweeping tariffs exceeded the authority delegated to him by Congress.   

Raoul was joined in filing the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont.