U.S. attorney general challenges Illinois’ new nonprofit diversity law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has moved to intervene in a lawsuit against Illinois that requires nonprofits to publicly disclose race and gender demographic information.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the intent of Illinois’ law “is to encourage nonprofits to discriminate under the guise of making nonprofit boards more ‘diverse.'”

A national equal rights organization, American Alliance for Equal Rights, filed suit last month, asking an Illinois federal judge to block the state from enforcing the statute it says unconstitutionally requires nonprofits to publicize their demographic data, and encouraging organizations to discriminate based on race.

The DOJ said Wednesday’s intervention was a step toward “eradicating illegal race and sex preferences across the government.”

“The United States cannot and will not sit idly while a state denies its citizens equal protection under the guise of diversity,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Discrimination in all its forms is abhorrent and must be eliminated.  The Department of Justice will continue to exercise its statutory right to intervene in cases whenever a state encourages DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) instead of merit.”

“This is a case of immense public importance because, as the Supreme Court recognized, ending ‘discrimination means eliminating all of it,’” said Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle. “This intervention seeks to eliminate discrimination via DEI and ensure the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection is enforced.”