CHICAGO (WLS) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against Illinois, Cook County and Chicago over sanctuary city policies, the ABC7 I-team has learned.

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The lawsuit had accused the local government of blocking federal immigration law.

It specifically called out local rules that block local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement and sharing the status of criminals.

U.S. District Court Judge Lindsay Jenkin dismissed the case, ruling “”The individual defendants are dismissed because the United States lacks standing to sue them with respect to the Sanctuary Policies… [t]he Federal Government may not compel the States to enact or administer a federal regulatory program… while Congress has many enumerated powers, and may even overtake state law, it may not wield States as federal tools.”

The Department of Justice did not respond to the I-Team’s request for comment on the ruling.

While the case was dismissed without prejudice, which leaves the door open for appeal or repleading the case, ABC7 Chief Legal Expert Gil Soffer told the I-Team it may be difficult for the DOJ to do so, because they would have to allege entirely different facts than what were presented already.

Judge Jenkins has given the Justice Department an Aug. 22 deadline to amend its complaint, otherwise the dismissal will be converted to one with prejudice.

SEE ALSO | City of Chicago joins lawsuit over effort to block funds for sanctuary cities

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement:
“I am pleased with today’s decision, which follows the 7th Circuit’s dismissal of a similar lawsuit filed during the first Trump administration. Today’s decision could not have been possible without the dedicated team of lawyers and staff who have worked tirelessly defending this latest attempt by the Trump administration to dismantle the TRUST Act. Illinois’ TRUST Act acknowledges that civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, and that state and local law enforcement resources are most appropriately utilized protecting the communities in which they serve. I will continue to defend the constitutionality of the TRUST Act against the Trump administration’s cruel and draconian immigration activities.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker posted the following on social media:
“BREAKING: Illinois just beat the Trump Administration in federal court. Their case challenging the bipartisan TRUST Act was dismissed – unlike the President, we follow the law and listen to the courts.”

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke issued the following statement:
“I applaud Judge Jenkins’s ruling, and am proud of the attorneys from our Civil Division for their great work. The Trump administration’s continued attempts to bully local communities into adopting their preferred policies are not only unlawful, but counter to our values and ability to fight crime effectively. We need victims and witnesses of crime to feel comfortable coming forward, just as we are compelled to hold those who commit crimes accountable. Ultimately, our most important duty is seeking justice, standing up for victims, and making our communities safe from gun violence. Today’s ruling helps us achieve these goals.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office shared the following statement:
“We are extremely pleased with the court’s decision to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit against the City. This ruling affirms what we have long known: that Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance is lawful and supports public safety. The City cannot be compelled to cooperate with the Trump Administration’s reckless and inhumane immigration agenda. The City is safer when local law enforcement can focus on the needs of Chicagoans. Chicago’s Welcoming City policies were first put in place more than 40 years ago by our city’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. We will continue to fight for the dignity of our immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities and stand up for the rights of all Chicagoans against any federal overreach.”