This week was chillier than usual in Chicago. Luckily, we’re shaping up to have a sunny and slightly warmer Memorial Day weekend. But enough about the weather! Let’s review what happened this week.
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives finally got enough votes to pass President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or the “big, bad bill” as Democrats call it. The package is full of tax and spending cuts; it slashes hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid and prohibits the federal program from covering gender-affirming care.
In the latest escalation in the president’s bid to arrest and deport migrants en masse, federal agents targeted immigration courts across the country this week, including in Chicago, detaining individuals as they appeared for immigration hearings and check-ins.
The Trump administration also accepted the controversial gift of a plane from Qatar and gave more details about the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense program it hopes to start building. Plus, Elon Musk appears to be less interested in politics (maybe?) as he recommitted to being Tesla’s CEO for five years.
The week took a tragic turn Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C., when two Israeli Embassy employees were shot and killed near a Jewish museum. A Chicago man is charged in the killings and allegedly told a police officer he “did it for Palestine.”
In local news, Trump’s Justice Department is investigating Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for alleged racially motivated hiring. A bill has stalled in the City Council that would give Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling the ability to call curfews to try to quell violence that has happened at large teen gatherings around the city. And everyone, including the mayor, has accepted that the Chicago Bears are moving to Arlington Heights.
Elsewhere in Illinois, lawmakers nearing the end of their session have passed several bills, including eliminating a road test for senior drivers and ensuring that state Prisoner Review Board members are trained on domestic violence issues. U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood announced Monday that she will not enter the Democratic primary race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. And south suburban Thornton Township exited the tumultuous Tiffany Henyard-era as new officials were sworn in.
Getting away this weekend? You’re not alone. A record numbers of Americans are expected to travel over the holiday weekend. But if you’re sticking around Chicago for Memorial Day, we’ve got you covered with events happening around the city as well as restaurant and bar specials.
Now let’s put your memory to the test. Here’s the Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for the week of May 18 to 24.
Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.