In a significant win for community service, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of states' top legal officers successfully preserved funding for AmeriCorps, blocking a substantial budget cut to the volunteer organization, according to a statement released by the Illinois Attorney General's Office. AmeriCorps, known for its national service initiatives, was on the verge of facing a $184 million reduction from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). However, Raoul and a coalition spanning 24 states mounted a legal challenge on July 23 against the cutbacks.
Following a legal battle, OMB and AmeriCorps reached an agreement to release the contested funds, which AmeriCorps will use to support service programs nationwide. Attorney General Raoul praised the outcome, noting, “I am pleased the hundreds of Illinoisans who serve some of Illinois’ most vulnerable populations will once again be able to give back to their communities,” as stated by the Illinois Attorney General's Office. The reversal follows an April challenge by Raoul and his coalition, who opposed the administration’s plan to cut nearly 90 percent of AmeriCorps’ workforce, abruptly cancel contracts, and close programs worth $400 million. In June, the coalition secured a preliminary injunction that reinstated the programs and barred further defunding without due process.
Despite the court order, funding obstructions persisted, prompting the coalition to file an amended lawsuit in July, which pointed the finger at OMB for its role in withholding funds meant for crucial programs, such as AmeriCorps Seniors initiatives and others sustained through competitive federal grants. Rather than digging their heels in against the states' injunction motion filed on August 7, the Trump administration informed the court last Thursday that OMB conceded, agreeing to hand over all AmeriCorps funds withheld—over $184 million in total for redistribution to nationwide programs, as per the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
AmeriCorps plays a pivotal role in supporting national and community service, partnering with local and national organizations to address urgent needs through funded volunteer placements. Without this support, schools, food banks, and other community institutions across the state would face significant setbacks. Attorney General Raoul’s lawsuit was bolstered by a broad coalition that included the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, Colorado, and other states, along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
