Chicago files new lawsuit against Department of Justice over sanctuary city policy

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ongoing legal battle over so-called sanctuary cities is intensified , as lawyers for the City of Chicago filed another lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the city will file a new lawsuit Friday. This is all to block the latest attempt by The Trump Administration and the DOJ to put conditions on a federal grant to support local law enforcement efforts in sanctuary cities.

The Trump Administration, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, want to block grant money to cities that refuse to enforce immigration laws.

"Chicago has repeatedly beaten the Trump Justice Department in court, and Chicago is proud to fight the Trump Justice Department again," said Mayor Emanuel. "Instead of inviting lawsuits and attacking immigrants, the Trump DOJ should immediately stop placing illegal conditions on these grants, quit withholding grant funding, and allow Chicago to use these grants to improve public safety. We will not be bullied, intimidated or coerced into making a false choice between our values as a welcoming city and the principles of community policing."

Recently, a federal judge sided with the city of Chicago, denying a motion by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to dismiss parts of the lawsuit the city brought forth.

And although the City won several legal victories, the justice department has not yet released the 2017 grant of more than $2 million to Chicago. On top of that, the city of Chicago has yet to receive an award letter for the 2018 grant.