Trump Could Add More Federal Grant Requirements: City Of Chicago Lawyer

CHICAGO, IL — A lawyer for the City of Chicago argued Monday in federal court that new requirements by the Trump administration for law enforcement grants that deny funding to sanctuary cities could open the door to other federal money restrictions, according to the Chicago Tribune. The U.S. Department of Justice, however, told the U.S. District judge that its grants have always been tied to cities adhering to certain stipulations, such as cities prohibited from using the money to buy military weapons, the report added.

Judge Harry Leinenweber heard oral arguments Monday, Sept. 11, as part of the City of Chicago's attempt to derail new federal guidelines that outline how money from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is dispersed. Over the years, the city has used that money to pay for SWAT equipment, police vehicles, radios and Tasers. In 2016, Chicago received $2.3 million in Byrne grant funding.

The city filed its lawsuit against the Justice Department in August and is asking a judge to declare the new requirements unlawful and that Chicago and its Welcoming City ordinance — the measure that lays out its sanctuary city status for undocumented immigrants — comply with federal laws. The new standards the city objects to include allowing Department of Homeland Security officials unlimited access to local law enforcement facilities and giving the federal agency a notice of at least 48 hours before a suspect is released from police custody, a condition Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration has argued would force authorities to hold someone for longer than allowed under the Fourth Amendment. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

In August, Attorney General Jeff Sessions blasted Chicago officials for filing the lawsuit and picking and choosing the laws they follow.

RELATED: Jeff Sessions Blasts Chicago's DOJ Lawsuit: Follow The Law Or No Federal Money

"This administration will not simply give away grant dollars to city governments that proudly violate the rule of law and protect criminal aliens at the expense of public safety," Sessions said at the time. "So it’s this simple: Comply with the law or forego taxpayer dollars."

In his arguments Monday, city attorney Ronald Safer contended the federal grants were designed to give local governments a certain degree of latitude when it came to how they spent the funds, the Tribune reports. If Leinenweber backed the requirements set up by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Safer argued, the judge would be endorsing an "unprecedented seizure of power," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

But Assistant Attorney General Chad Readler told Leinenweber that if Chicago officials find the new requirements onerous, then they simply shouldn't apply for the grants, the Sun-Times reports.

"This is a voluntary, optional program. They don’t have to take the money," Readler said.

Despite the new guidelines, Chicago already has applied for $1.5 million grant money. Leinenweber did not say when he would make his ruling, according to the Tribune.

More via the Chicago Tribune and htthe Chicago Sun-Times

Photo via Shutterstock

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on