Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is at the forefront of two significant legal battles concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): leading a coalition of states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for unlawfully suspending food benefits, and previously securing a court order to halt federal demands for sensitive SNAP recipient data, impacting millions nationwide.
In a period marked by economic uncertainty and federal policy shifts, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has emerged as a pivotal figure in safeguarding access to food assistance and protecting the privacy of vulnerable populations. Raoul is actively engaged in two major legal challenges against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a lifeline for millions of Americans.
The Battle for Continued SNAP Benefits Amidst Government Shutdown
On October 28, 2025, Attorney General Raoul joined a robust coalition of 26 attorneys general and governors in filing a lawsuit against the USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins. The legal action directly challenges the USDA’s decision to suspend SNAP benefits, a move that threatens to cut off food aid for an estimated 40 million people nationwide, including nearly 2 million Illinoisans.
The coalition argues that the USDA’s suspension is both unlawful and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. They assert that the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds, explicitly appropriated by Congress for use during events such as government shutdowns. Despite this, the coalition highlights that the USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during the shutdown but has inexplicably refused to fund SNAP. “At a time of increased costs for families, the Trump administration is making a deliberate, illegal and cruel decision to cut off access to food for nearly 2 million Illinoisans,” Raoul stated, vowing to continue fighting against what he perceives as unlawful actions that threaten the separation of powers and the rule of law. The coalition plans to file a temporary restraining order to immediately restore these critical benefits. This widespread concern is reflected in a report from the The Center Square detailing the lawsuit.
The federal government typically funds and sets the monthly allotment of SNAP benefits, while state governments are responsible for program administration. The USDA informed state SNAP agencies on October 10 that continued federal government shutdown could lead to insufficient funds for November benefits, followed by a letter on October 24 announcing the suspension of benefits as of November 1.
A Broader Coalition for Food Security
The lawsuit underscores a national unity in protecting vital food assistance. Attorney General Raoul was joined by top legal officers and governors from a diverse array of states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Governors from Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania also joined the complaint, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan concern over food security.
Prior Victory: Protecting SNAP Recipient Data Privacy
Just weeks prior, on October 16, 2025, Attorney General Raoul scored another significant legal victory against the Trump administration. He secured a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts the USDA’s controversial demand for highly personal data from millions of SNAP recipients. This demand put states in a precarious position, forcing them to choose between divulging sensitive information or risking the loss of vital SNAP funding.
“This injunction means that for now, states do not need to choose between following the law by protecting SNAP recipients’ information or complying with the USDA’s unlawful demand and potentially losing millions of critical SNAP dollars,” Raoul explained. This victory safeguards both state economies and the security of families dependent on SNAP benefits. More details on this can be found in a press release from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
The requested data included intimate details such as Social Security numbers and immigration statuses, dating back to January 2020. There were significant fears that this sensitive information could be shared across federal agencies and potentially used for undesired purposes, such as immigration enforcement. Raoul, alongside a coalition of 20 attorneys general, launched this lawsuit in July, arguing that the USDA’s demands violated federal laws and the U.S. Constitution.
SNAP serves as a crucial safety net, supporting nearly 2 million residents in Illinois alone. The demographic breakdown of recipients in Illinois highlights the program’s vital role: 33% are children, 30% are adults over 60 years of age, and 27% of households include a person with a disability. The national concern over the privacy implications of the USDA’s demand further illustrates the wide-reaching impact of the SNAP program and the paramount importance of safeguarding recipient information.
Beyond SNAP: Disaster Declarations and Wildlife Management
While the focus remains on SNAP, the Attorney General’s office and the state of Illinois are also addressing other critical issues. The state of Illinois and Cook County are currently appealing a recent denial of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which Governor J.B. Pritzker requested to secure federal assistance for severe flooding that impacted the state in July and August. As part of this appeal process, additional assessments are slated to be conducted, underscoring the ongoing efforts to secure federal aid for disaster recovery.
On a different note, Illinois wildlife management continues to track hunting activities. During the 2025 fall firearm turkey season (October 18-26), turkey hunters harvested 255 wild turkeys. This figure is a slight decrease compared to the 294 turkeys harvested in the previous year. The fall firearm turkey hunting season was open in 56 of Illinois’ 102 counties, with Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties leading the harvest with 16 turkeys each. Historically, the record harvest was set in 2005, when 1,218 birds were harvested, as reported by Cities 929.
The Long-Term Implications of State-Federal Legal Battles
Attorney General Raoul’s dual legal challenges regarding SNAP benefits and data privacy reflect a growing trend of states pushing back against federal directives, particularly when they impact social safety nets and individual rights. These cases set important precedents for the balance of power between state and federal governments and highlight the judiciary’s role in interpreting legislative intent versus executive action.
The outcome of these lawsuits will not only determine the immediate availability of food aid for millions but also shape future policies regarding data privacy for government program recipients. For onlytrustedinfo.com, these developments signify critical junctures in understanding the intricate relationship between federal mandates, state responsibilities, and the everyday lives of citizens.
