Good morning, Chicago.
Joanna Martínez already spends much of her day worrying about the rising cost of food and how she can afford enough healthy meals to feed her two daughters.
Now the single mother, who lives in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, is terrified as she braces for an anticipated loss of federal food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps.
Martínez, 36, is one of more than 40 million Americans poised to lose their SNAP benefits on Saturday as the second-longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history drags on.
“I’m trying to come up with a plan,” she said. “But I’m still scared.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a message Monday affirming that no federal food assistance will be distributed after the end of the month. Illinois typically administers roughly $350 million in federal food aid monthly to about 1.9 million people statewide, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says, before taking a partisan tone. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Angie Leventis Lourgos.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the jury’s ruling in the killing of Sonya Massey, why Cameo is suing OpenAI and what to watch for on the Blackhawks’ six-game trip.
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Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s daily report in federal court canceled by appeals court — for now
A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino does not have to appear daily in court to brief a federal judge on the latest uses of force in “Operation Midway Blitz” — at least for now.
- No ruling imminent as Supreme Court asks for more briefing in Illinois National Guard deployment case
- Kristi Noem, Gov. Mike Braun to visit Gary for ICE-related news conference
Illinois officials should investigate, charge federal immigration agents for state violations, group says
A left-leaning voters’ rights group that has pushed for President Donald Trump’s removal from office over alleged constitutional abuses is now asking Illinois officials to investigate and prosecute alleged violations of state law by federal immigration enforcement agents deployed in “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Former aide admits helping Ald. Carrie Austin get home improvement perks from developers
A top aide to former Ald. Carrie Austin admitted in a federal courtroom yesterday that he helped the longtime South Side lawmaker improperly get home improvement perks from developers seeking to influence them.
Jury finds former downstate sheriff’s deputy guilty of second-degree murder in killing of Sonya Massey
A downstate jury found Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, guilty of second-degree murder yesterday in the killing last year of Sonya Massey inside her home near Springfield, a case that sparked national outrage and calls for police reforms.
Cameo sues OpenAI for trademark infringement over new AI-generated celebrity video app
Cameo, the Chicago-based celebrity video messaging website, has become the latest company to sue OpenAI, alleging trademark infringement for the technology giant’s new service that makes AI-generated celebrity videos under the same Cameo name.
Students, families rally around CPS contract schools with uncertain futures
The halls that house The Chicago High School for the Arts have a history of creative expression coupled with resistance, and Andrea Gonzáles knows them well.
Column: Why couldn’t the Chicago Bulls win more with Zach LaVine?
Zach LaVine returned to the United Center yesterday for the first time since last February’s trade to the Sacramento Kings, earning a warm reception from Bulls fans, writes Paul Sullivan.
LaVine will always be one of the franchise’s most productive stars, and is still one of only six players to score 50 or more points in a Bulls uniform, along with Kings teammate DeMar DeRozan, Chet Walker, Jamal Crawford, Jimmy Butler (twice) and Michael Jordan (38 times). He also holds the franchise record for most 3s in a game — 13 against Charlotte on Nov. 22, 2019 — and led the team in scoring four times, while tying once with Lauri Markkanen.
What to watch for on the Chicago Blackhawks’ 6-game trip, including Jonathan Toews’ 1st game vs. his old team
Coming off a dominant 7-3 home win over the Ottawa Senators, the Blackhawks will spend the next 11 days on the road.
Tuesday’s game at the United Center served as a great send-off for the Hawks (5-3-2), who got Connor Bedard’s first career hat trick and captain Nick Foligno’s 600th career point in the victory. Now six straight road games loom, beginning tonight in Winnipeg.
Fred Armisen has got an ear for noise. Cue his new album, ‘100 Sound Effects’
There are moments when no other city sounds like Chicago, Fred Armisen says. Like when an “L” train is passing, or the moment you step out of a bustling restaurant in the dead of a freezing winter night.
What to do in Chicago: Haunted Halsted parade, Tame Impala and rugby at Soldier Field
Here are our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
