Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expressed condolences for the victims and praised first responders, but also criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the tragedy.

A federal judge temporarily halted President Donald Trump's move to freeze all federal grants pending an analysis to root out "wokeness" in federal spending. But confusion reigned Tuesday in Chicago and beyond as leaders braced for serious potential cuts to an array of major programs.

The Trump administration remains adamant the plan for a federal funding freeze is still on despite legal challenges, causing even more confusion and whiplash for people in Illinois who rely on federal programs.

Illinois and other states were shut out of the Medicaid system Tuesday. The White House confirmed the portal “outage,” but insisted payments would be unaffected.

The intention here is to disrupt. The intention here is to make cuts.” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a press briefing.

The freeze on federal funding and grants has wide-ranging implications and impacts everything from funding for child care, university research and roads and bridges.

Local leaders have positioned the state as a safe haven for abortion, which may draw more scrutiny under the new administration.

In its quest to get a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, Illinois was counting on $148 million in federal funding to help build a statewide network of public EV chargers. Now that funding has been frozen — and targeted for possible reduction or elimination — under a wide-ranging executive order that President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office.

I am a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. I am writing to express my outrage at President Donald Trump’s focus on mass deportations of immigrants, closing of the southern border and use of military airplanes to deport immigrants.

A federal funding freeze announced by President Donald Trump ’s administration this week sparked concern in the public health community about the fate of crucial services and the communities served by them. Now, even with the memo instituting the freeze rescinded, unease remains.

Testifying in a confirmation hearing, Kash Patel, who is nominated to lead the F.B.I., also sought to allay fears about his fitness to serve.