Illinois joins lawsuit against DOGE, Elon Musk over access to US Treasury government payment systems
Share and Follow

CHICAGO — Illinois will join over a dozen states in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s access to the Treasury Department.

Thirteen attorneys general, including Illinois’ Kwame Raoul and New York’s Letitia James, said in a statement that they were taking action “in defense of our Constitution, our right to privacy, and the essential funding that individuals and communities nationwide are counting on.”

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The treasury is just one of the departments the temporary organization has been given access to under the supervision of Elon Musk.

“As the richest man in the world, Elon Musk is not used to being told ‘no,’ but in our country, no one is above the law,” the statement said. “The President does not have the power to give away our private information to anyone he chooses, and he cannot cut federal payments approved by Congress.”

READ MORE: DOJ agrees to limit DOGE’s access to Treasury Department records

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.

Government officials and labor unions have been among those raising concerns about DOGE’s involvement with the payment system for the federal government, saying it could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Also Thursday, a federal judge ordered that two Musk allies have “read only” access to Treasury Department payment systems, but no one else will get access for now, including Musk himself. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by federal workers unions trying to stop DOGE from following through on what they call a massive privacy invasion.

It was not immediately clear when the Democratic attorneys general will file their lawsuit, but it is expected to be filed soon.

ABC7 Chicago contributed to this report

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Israel confirms recovery of last hostage's remains from Gaza

Israel Successfully Recovers Remains of Final Hostage from Gaza: A Significant Milestone in Ongoing Conflict Resolution

On Monday, Israel confirmed the return of Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili’s remains,…
Iranian drone swarms pose 'credible threat' to USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, defense expert says

Unveiling the Threat: Iranian Drone Swarms Target USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Group

American military forces advancing toward the Middle East might encounter significant challenges…
Girl killed in SLEDDING accident after being pulled in snow by Jeep

Tragic Sledding Incident: Young Girl Loses Life in Snow Accident Involving Jeep

A tragic incident occurred in Texas when a 16-year-old girl lost her…
DHS cop who shot Alex Pretti won't be convicted, prosecutor suggests

Prosecutor Indicates No Charges for DHS Officer in Alex Pretti Shooting

The Border Patrol agent involved in the fatal shooting of Minneapolis protester…
Luxury blue-city landlords accused of looking the other way as high-end buildings turn into crime hubs

Landlords of Upscale Blue-City Properties Allegedly Neglect Rising Crime in High-End Buildings

A woman claims she was trafficked for sex as a teenager and…
This image released by Amazon MGM Studios shows Kenneth Choi, left, and Chris Pratt in a scene from

Box Office Shake-Up: ‘Mercy’ Topples ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’ During Snowy Theater Weekend

This past weekend, Hollywood experienced its slowest box office period of the…
Ye apologizes for antisemitic behavior, takes out full page WSJ ad saying he 'loves Jewish people'

Ye Issues Full-Page WSJ Apology, Declares ‘Love for Jewish People’ in Response to Past Antisemitic Remarks

The letter opens with a recounting of a car accident that the…
Local Spotlight: Darvin Furniture/City of Hope

Discover the Heartwarming Partnership: Darvin Furniture Teams Up with City of Hope

City of Hope has established itself as one of the foremost cancer…