Case: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO v. Vought

1:26-cv-02656 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: March 9, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case is a challenge to the Trump Administration’s decision to cancel over $600 million in public health grants to Illinois, California, Colorado, and Minnesota. On March 9, 2026, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and AFSCME Council 31 filed this complaint against the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their leadership in the Unit…

This case is a challenge to the Trump Administration’s decision to cancel over $600 million in public health grants to Illinois, California, Colorado, and Minnesota.

On March 9, 2026, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and AFSCME Council 31 filed this complaint against the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their leadership in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, challenging the federal government's decision to abruptly cancel over $600 million in public health grants. The plaintiffs alleged that the Trump administration issued a “Targeting Directive” to punitively withhold funds from four "sanctuary" states: Illinois, California, Colorado, and Minnesota. According to the complaint, officials used artificial intelligence to generate pretextual justifications claiming these long-standing programs no longer aligned with agency priorities. The plaintiffs maintained that these funding cuts would cause mass layoffs of essential healthcare workers. The plaintiffs asserted that these funding cuts violated the APA, as they were arbitrary and capricious and exceeded statutory authority, that they violated the Spending Clause, Separation of Powers, and Equal Protection Clause, and that they constituted unconstitutional retaliation under the First Amendment. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to halt and vacate the targeting and grant termination directives, prohibit similar policies, and award costs and attorneys’ fees.

This case was assigned to Judge John F. Kness.

On March 17, 2026, the defendants moved to transfer this case to the Court of Federal Claims.

The plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on March 25, 2026. They requested that the court preliminarily enjoin the defendants and their officers from implementing the OMB directive that commanded federal agencies to cut, terminate, or otherwise withhold funding to Illinois, California, Colorado, and Minnesota, as well as the CDC’s announcement of its plans to terminate numerous public health grants to those states in accordance with that directive.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Sofia Yoder (4/20/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72384325/parties/american-federation-of-state-county-and-municipal-employees-aflcio-v/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blumin, Matthew Stark (Illinois)

Henderson, Cortney Robinson (Illinois)

Joel, McElvain (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)

Gheibi, Pardis (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blumin, Matthew Stark (Illinois)

Henderson, Cortney Robinson (Illinois)

Joel, McElvain (Illinois)

Kooragayala, Shiva (Illinois)

Miller, Kristen (Illinois)

Rodriguez, Yenisey (Illinois)

Yeomans, Georgina (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)

Gheibi, Pardis (Illinois)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:26-cv-02656	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief American Federation of State v. Vought	March 9, 2026	March 9, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72384325/american-federation-of-state-county-and-municipal-employees-aflcio-v/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 9:26 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT filed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO; Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-24825156.(Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/09/2026)	March 9, 2026	March 9, 2026 Clearinghouse
2	CIVIL Cover Sheet (Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/09/2026)	March 9, 2026	March 9, 2026
3	ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by McElvain Joel (Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/09/2026)	March 9, 2026	March 9, 2026
5	SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to Jay Bhattacharya, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., The Office of Management and Budget, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Russell Vought, U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney General (ee, ) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
6	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by Georgina Yeomans; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24828005. (Yeomans, Georgina) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
7	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by Matthew Stark Blumin; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24828479. (Blumin, Matthew) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
8	ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by Shiva Kooragayala (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
9	NOTICE by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
	CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable John F. Kness. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Gabriel A. Fuentes. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2). (man, )	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
	CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (man, )	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
10	MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Motions by counsel for leave to appear pro hac vice 6, 7 are granted. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 03/11/2026)	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
11	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by Yenisey Rodriguez; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24838185. (Rodriguez, Yenisey) (Entered: 03/12/2026)	March 12, 2026	March 12, 2026
12	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by Cortney Robinson Henderson; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24839289. (Robinson Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 03/12/2026)	March 12, 2026	March 12, 2026
13	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO by Kristen Miller; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24847881. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
14	MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Motions by counsel for leave to appear pro hac vice 11, 12, 13 are granted. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
15	DESIGNATION of Pardis Gheibi as U.S. Attorney for Defendants Jay Bhattacharya, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, The Office of Management and Budget, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Russell Vought (Gheibi, Pardis) (Entered: 03/14/2026)	March 14, 2026	March 14, 2026
16	MOTION by Defendants Jay Bhattacharya, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, The Office of Management and Budget, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Russell Vought to transfer case (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support)(Gheibi, Pardis) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026 RECAP
17	MOTION by Plaintiffs American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO for preliminary injunction and Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 (Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026 RECAP
18	MEMORANDUM by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO in support of motion for preliminary injunction, 17 and 705 Stay (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
19	MOTION by Plaintiffs American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO for leave to file excess pages Instanter (Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
20	Plaintiffs' Separate Statement Regarding The Proposed Briefing Schedule For Plaintiffs' Motion For Preliminary Injunction And Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 STATEMENT by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO (Joel, McElvain) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
21	Defendants' Separate Statement Regarding The Proposed Briefing Schedule For Plaintiffs' Motion For Preliminary Injunction And Stay by Jay Bhattacharya, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, The Office of Management and Budget, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Russell Vought (Gheibi, Pardis) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
22	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA served on 3/13/2026, answer due 5/12/2026 (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
23	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA served on 3/16/2026, answer due 5/15/2026, SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on 3/16/2026, answer due 5/15/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
24	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to Jay Bhattacharya on 3/16/2026, answer due 4/6/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
25	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on 3/13/2026, answer due 4/3/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026 RECAP
26	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to The Office of Management and Budget on 3/18/2026, answer due 4/8/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
27	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on 3/18/2026, answer due 4/8/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
28	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to Russell Vought on 3/18/2026, answer due 4/8/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026
29	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO as to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 3/16/2026, answer due 4/6/2026. (Kooragayala, Shiva) (Entered: 04/01/2026)	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Grant/Contract rescissions, Defunding or Other Threats against Private Entities

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 9, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Office of Management and Budget

The United States of America

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Freedom of speech/association

Separation of Powers

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:26-cv-02656

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Immigration/Border:

Sanctuary city/state

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFLCIO v. Vought, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47883/ (last updated 4/20/2026).