Good afternoon, Chicago.
The White House is pausing federal grants and loans starting today as President Donald Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending, causing confusion and panic among organizations that rely on Washington for their financial lifeline.
Administration officials said the decision was necessary to ensure that all funding complies with Trump’s executive orders. While the administration said federal assistance to individuals would not be affected – including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships – it has impacted agencies operating to support individuals accessing such assistance.
Hours later, Illinois agencies were having trouble accessing Medicaid systems, a top spokesperson for Gov. JB Pritzker said.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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What happened at Hamline Elementary on Friday? Mistaken ICE report in Chicago is still sparking fear.
Fear regarding looming deportations following Trump’s return to office came to a head Friday, when people reported a sighting of what they thought were immigration agents attempting to enter Hamline Elementary School on Chicago’s Southwest Side. They were later identified as Secret Service agents. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Illinois EPA opposes proposed toxic waste dump expansion on Southeast Side lakefront
- Evidence in corruption case really just ‘lobbying and politics,’ attorney for Madigan confidant argues
- Reputed boss of Four Corner Hustlers street gang gets new trial after prosecution gaffe
University of Chicago enters $130M partnership to develop new drugs
The University of Chicago is partnering with a health care investment firm that has pledged up to $130 million to help turn the school’s research and discoveries into medications more quickly. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Deerpath Road overhaul project’s impact concerns some Lake Forest business owners
- Chicago Bulls player Patrick Williams pays $5.7M for Gold Coast condo
Column: Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson sees progress in the ‘big picture.’ But when will it show up on the ice?
Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teräväinen and Alec Martinez were nice additions in the offseason — some others, not so much — but they haven’t moved the needle for a team that’s surprised to find itself with the NHL’s second-worst record at 15-29-5. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Chicago Cubs finalize trade for veteran reliever Ryan Pressly
- Naperville North’s Austin Roush commits to Division III national champion North Central College
Facets executive director Karen Cardarelli and program director Charles Coleman pose for a 2021 photo. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago’s Facets film presenter turns 50 this year. What’s on deck, beyond a new name for itself?
Founded in 1975, in a tumultuous heyday of European, Eastern European, Scandinavian and Latin American cinema breaking through to adventurous American movie audiences, Facets Multimedia turns 50 this year. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Review: Hugh Jackman’s warm ‘From New York, with Love’ has Broadway songs and a star wanting to share the spotlight
- Review: In the intense ‘A Slow Air’ at Steep Theatre, a conversation between siblings is backgrounded by a terrorist act
Immigration officers say ‘the worst go first,’ but now there’s no ‘free pass’
A week into Trump’s second presidency and his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, federal officers are operating with a new sense of mission, knowing that “nobody gets a free pass anymore.” Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
