Pritzker Lauds SCOTUS Ruling On Trump's Illegal Tariffs

Gov. JB Pritzker is weighing in on Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court that President Donald Trump's global tariffs violate federal law. In a majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the judges agreed by a vote of 6-3 that the sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs Trump levied on nearly every country in the world are unlawful.

The ruling, the first of Trump's wider agenda to appear before SCOTUS since the start of his second term last year, is seen as a major blow to the president. In the past, Trump has repeatedly described the case as one of the most important in U.S. history, claiming the country is "screwed" if the tariffs are struck down.

"Donald Trump implemented the largest tax hike in decades on working families — and the Supreme Court just found it illegal," Pritzker said on social media. "Tariffs aren't paid for by the other country — they're paid by you. Relief is finally coming, and it's no thanks to this President."

Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.

RELATED: Supreme Court Rules On Trump's Sweeping Tariffs

Trump, who appointed three conservative justices to SCOTUS during his first term, called Friday's decision by the nation's highest court a "disgrace" while hosting governors at a White House breakfast, CNN reported.

Imposed by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the tariffs have drawn scrutiny worldwide including in the United States from business leaders and organizations.

"The Supreme Court's announcement today regarding tariffs provides much-needed certainty for U.S. businesses and manufacturers, enabling global supply chains to operate without ambiguity," said David French, executive vice president of the government relations for the National Retail Federation, following the decision. "Clear and consistent trade policy is essential for economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for American families."

French is hoping for a "seamless process" to refund the tariffs to U.S. importers, which he believes will result in an economic boost, allowing "companies to reinvest in their operations, their employees and their customers."

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who along with a coalition of attorneys general had previously sued to stop the arbitrary use of tariffs, also released a statement on the decision.

"President Trump's unlawful tariffs on international trade have harmed so many in our state, including families struggling to make ends meet, small business owners, farmers and manufacturers," Raoul said. "Tariffs are a tax on Americans, and these illegal tariffs threatened Illinois' economy and have harmed taxpayers by increasing costs to the state and local governments.

According to Raoul, the state's costs for transportation projects over the next two years would have been $249 million to $585 million higher due to tariffs, as estimated by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

In April 2025, Raoul and 11 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit to halt the implementation of the illegal tariffs. In their complaint, Raoul and the attorneys general argued that the authority to lay and collect taxes and duties on imported goods lies with Congress. The lower courts ruled in favor of the states, explaining that Trump's attempt to implement sweeping tariffs exceeded the authority delegated to him by Congress, according to Raoul.

Raoul was joined in filing the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont.