ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing the Trump administration in an effort to block the dismantling of federal agencies that provide support for libraries, museums and businesses.

In March, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the following agencies to eliminate their programs not mandated by the statute, and to reduce their functions and staff to the minimum required by law:

• Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
• United States Agency for Global Media
• Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
• Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
• Minority Business Development Agency

On Friday, 21 attorneys general filed an injunction to stop three of these agencies from being dismantled. In the suit, the attorneys general argue that following this order significantly impacted the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

According to the suit, the IMLS placed 85% of its staff on administrative leave, and stopped grant awards to several states. The FMCS reduced its staff from around 200 to less than 15, and announced the end of several programs, such as its mediation program for public sector entities. The MBDA cut its staff from around 40 to five, and stopped new grant solicitations.

Raoul said millions rely on these agencies, especially those in underserved communities.

“The Institute of Museum and Library Services helps to ensure that art, culture, history and literacy are accessible for all,” Raoul said. “Illegally cutting grants jeopardizes critical library programs across the state that make library materials available to smaller communities and provide education and access to technology for underserved youth. Attempting to dismantle agencies created by Congress is a continuation of this administration’s unconstitutional and unlawful overreach.”

Raoul said that dismantling these agencies will harm communities in Illinois and throughout the nation. And, that the agencies provide important services to the public like funding libraries, promoting minority-owned businesses and protecting workers’ rights.

In 2024, Illinois received around $5.7 million in funding from the IMLS. Nationwide, the agency invested around $180 million in libraries that same year.

 “The Trump Administration’s reckless actions to defund and dismantle IMLS has serious consequences for Illinois by placing its annual state grants at risk. Stripping these vital resources threatens the sustainability of our libraries and amounts to a disinvestment in an educated society,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. “As State Librarian, I’m committed to working with Attorney General Raoul and the 20 other states in fighting to restore and protect this vital funding, which is especially essential to underserved and rural communities across Illinois, and prevent any efforts to eliminate the IMLS.”

The lawsuit argues that the executive order violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. And, that the president cannot override laws governing federal spending. They added that this executive order invalidates Congress’s power to decide how federal funds are spent.

Joining Raoul in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.