Earlier this year, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul took a bold stand for arts, education, and democracy by joining a multi-state lawsuit to stop the federal government’s dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). That action sent a clear message: Illinois will not sit quietly while vital cultural institutions are stripped of their funding and purpose.

Now, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has been similarly gutted—its budget slashed, its staff removed, and its ability to fulfill its congressional mandate effectively frozen. And the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) may be next, as the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues its assault on public institutions that serve every state and territory.

Illinois has already shown the nation what principled leadership looks like. And we’re not alone—other attorneys general have signaled support, and a broader coalition is emerging. But more action is urgently needed.

We're calling on the Attorney General to once again take legal action—this time to restore NEH funding and defend the NEA from further harm. These agencies may represent a tiny fraction of the federal budget (just 0.003–0.0046%), but they fuel billions in economic activity and empower millions of Americans through access to arts, culture, and public learning—especially in rural and underserved communities.

📬 Add your voice to the call. Send a letter today urging continued legal action to protect our nation's cultural infrastructure.