CHICAGO (WLS) — The Illinois attorney general filed a lawsuit Friday against the Trump administration in the battle over gender-affirming care.

It’s in response to the administration’s directives that would withhold funds from hospitals that treat transgender youth.

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University of Illinois Hospital on Friday became the fourth in Chicago to pause gender affirming care for young people.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul and his counterparts from more than a dozen other states are now suing to block the president’s executive orders.

The controversy began when President Donald Trump assumed office and issued a series of executive orders. These orders instructed agencies to ensure that hospitals receiving federal research and education funds refrain from providing care for transgender youth.

In reaction, some states faced the looming threat of subpoenas and possible legal action. For instance, the University of Illinois Hospital has decided to suspend transgender surgeries for individuals under 19, effective Friday, after evaluating federal directives.

“Since taking office, President Trump and his administration have relentlessly, cruelly and unlawfully targeted transgender individuals,” Raoul said.

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Lurie Children’s Hospital was the first to stop offering transgender surgeries to youth back in January.

University of Chicago Medicine followed suit last month.

Rush Hospital also paused care, which advocates say is necessary for young people experiencing gender dysphoria.

Raoul criticized the administration for overreaching by utilizing threats of federal investigations and potential criminal charges under inapplicable laws. He argues these threats have coerced providers into ceasing their life-saving care services.

Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of the Brave Space Alliance, expressed hope that the lawsuit would deliver a strong message to the federal administration, indicating that compliance without challenge will not occur.

Opponents of gender-affirming care support the president’s actions.

Shannon Adcock, president of Awake Illinois, stated the mandate is to restrict funding to hospitals until they protect and offer compassionate, ethical care to children, while halting any perceived abuse, mutilation, or sterilization.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction from a federal judge to halt the enforcement of the president’s orders, thereby permitting hospitals to continue providing transgender care for youth.