How the Trump administration is affecting Chicago and Illinois
Over the first nine weeks of President Trump's latest term, Chicago and Illinois institutions have emerged as prime targets for the administration's scrutiny.
Why it matters: The rapid succession of threats, arrests, lawsuits and closures have been so numerous that it can be hard to keep track.
Some of the actions have already impacted peoples' lives and jobs while other measures are on hold as they work their way through the courts.
What's happening: We've organized a list of state and local targets to try to monitor the ongoing local effects of new federal measures.
If we've missed some, please email to tell us.
Local institutions under investigation
University of Chicago and Illinois Wesleyan for alleged "race exclusionary practices."
Northwestern University for alleged antisemitism.
WBEZ and 12 other public media stations for underwriting practices.
Shut down/canceled
Department of Education local field offices of Civil Rights and Financial Aid that helped students navigate student loans and contest education discrimination.
Social Security offices are on the chopping block, including one in Rockford, according to a DOGE list.
U of Illinois Soybean Lab that trained African farmers on soybean technology and created opportunities for U.S. farmers.
Chicago Immigration Court Helpdesk that helped migrants navigate the court system.
Faith-based tree planting projects that maintained urban forestry throughout the Midwest.
Temporary Protected Status for thousands of new arrivals starting as early as April.
A USDA program to purchase $26.3 million in Illinois farm produce for local schools and childcare centers.
Sued
Illinois, Cook County and Chicago for their sanctuary policies.
Downsized
Housing and Urban Development's Chicago office lost 12 employees who work on records requests and act as intermediaries between HUD and others.
EPA Region 5, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 37 tribes, could lose up to 30 positions in the environmental justice division, AFGE Local 704 president Nicole Cantello says.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the largest federal agencies in Chicago, is expected to cut 80,000 positions nationwide.
Threatened
Lurie Children's Hospital cut back some gender-affirming care because of federal funding threats.
Illinois clean energy jobs after a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a plan that moves fossil fuel plants ahead of renewables in the line to get hooked up to the power grid.
Federal buildings, including the Kluczynski and Metcalfe Federal Building, were on a list of properties potentially for sale that the General Services Administration later removed from its website. But that doesn't mean they aren't on the chopping block.
Public art managed by the feds is at risk as the administration reportedly cut staff who oversee the Fine Arts and Art in Architecture programs.
Ukrainian refugees' legal status as the Trump administration winds down parole programs put in place under President Biden that welcomed 40,000 local Ukrainian refugees.
Translation of government documents after a March 1 executive order rescinding requirements for federal agencies to offer language assistance to non-English speakers.
Federal educational funding for any schools with DEI policies.
Scientific research funding to local hospitals and universities from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
USAID contracts. They are now bracing for potential new Mexico and Canada tariffs next month that could raise the cost of fertilizer and reduce sales to a big export market.
Future of a Chicago Securities and Exchange office as the General Services Administration continues to reduce federal government office space.
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