Axios Chicago

January 29, 2025
🧩 Happy Wednesday! It's National Puzzle Day. Jigsaw, crossword, Sudoku, any will do for a little brain workout.
🌬️ Today's weather: Breezy and a high of 44.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Chicago members Jackie Kaufmann, Charles Kiser and Susan Schlegel!
Today's newsletter is 944 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Illinois joins multi-state lawsuit
Illinois lawmakers are happy a federal judge halted President Trump's federal funding freeze Tuesday, but they aren't relying on the temporary injunction.
Why it matters: State lawmakers are worried that the freeze could have lasting damage to residents who rely on Medicaid and other public services.
What they're saying: "We don't know what the impact on our budget will be," Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday afternoon.
- "This is only a temporary restraint."
Zoom out: A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily halted Trump's effort to pause federal grant, loan and financial assistance programs.
- The administrative stay was supposed to go into effect Tuesday afternoon. The temporary stay will expire on Monday.
The intrigue: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the state has joined more than 20 other states in filing a separate suit in Rhode Island against the Trump administration, attempting to block the funding freeze.
- "I will not stand silent as they try to impose unconstitutional mandates," Raoul said.
The big picture: State agencies complained on Tuesday that they were shut out of accessing federal funding sites and disbursement systems, including Medicaid, according to the governor's spokesperson.
Zoom in: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office is also still assessing what the exact impact could be on budgets and services.
- City officials said Chicago received $4 billion in grants last year, and a portion of that number was from the federal government.
Yes, but: The Trump administration says the freeze was to get spending in line with recent executive orders, like eliminating DEI programs and auditing foreign aid.
2. Johnson considers House testimony
Mayor Brandon Johnson says he has not decided whether to testify before Congress over the city's sanctuary city policies.
Why it matters: If the mayor testifies, he will attempt to fend off federal pressure while supporting the city's immigration policy that has stood for 40 years.
The latest: The U.S. House has called mayors from four cities (Boston, Denver, New York City and Chicago) to testify as part of an investigation into sanctuary city policies and their potential disruption of federal immigration laws.
Between the lines: The call to testify was an invitation, not a subpoena. The mayor's legal team is reviewing it.
Flashback: The city's ordinance predates Johnson. City Council passed the initial ordinance in 1985, under then-Mayor Harold Washington.
Yes, but: Johnson has embraced it and if he defends it under a national spotlight it could raise his profile in the resistance against the new Trump administration.
The other side: Republican House members could use the event to grandstand and attack sanctuary cities.
Zoom out: According to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, ICE has apprehended over 100 undocumented immigrants since raids began on Sunday.
- Snelling also said CPD does not interfere with ICE's missions.
The intrigue: Snelling stressed the city's overall message Tuesday that no one should be afraid to go to work or school.
- But he also said he doesn't have information on whether ICE arrests have been restricted to those wanted for or convicted of crimes.
Meanwhile: Right-wing media is suggesting Republicans go further, arresting both Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker for obstruction.
3. Where car insurance costs are rising the fastest

Put car insurance in the "plus" column for your 2025 budget.
Why it matters: Rising insurance costs and other car-related expenses are creating an affordability crisis with little room to maneuver.
Driving the news: The average annual cost of full auto coverage increased 15% nationwide in 2024, per a new report from Insurify, which helps drivers compare quotes from multiple providers.
By the numbers: In Illinois, annual coverage is expected to go up 4% in 2025, from $1,963 last year to $2,050.
- Rates increased 18% from 2023-2024.
Reality check: Weather-related vehicle damage is covered with comprehensive, or "other than collision," insurance so make sure your policy covers it.
4. Tips and Hot Links: Madigan trial nearing end
⚖️ Jury deliberations could begin today in the corruption trial of Michael Madigan. (Fox32)
💰 Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's investigation of Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard says the official mismanaged the village's finances through excessive spending. (WBEZ)
🍿An Evanston woman has seen the Oscar-nominated Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" at least 29 times, mostly at The Wilmette Theatre. (The Record North Shore)
Fresh Finds
🌱 Discover new local events.
Cupids Ball On The Yacht at Burnham Harbor on Feb 14: Your cruise experience includes a scenic 3 hour cruise of Lake Michigan, captivating views of the Chicago skyline including the Navy Pier, the gold coast and much more. $40-$450.
Hosting an event? Email [email protected].
5. Podcast revisits "Division Street: America"
Veteran Chicago journalists Melissa Harris and Mary Schmich are revisiting Studs Terkel's seminal 1967 collection of Chicago interviews in "Division Street: America" in a new podcast launching tonight.
Why it matters: These updated interviews with descendants, paired with the original book, offer a fascinating narrative of local history from multiple perspectives.
The basics: The original book featured 71 interviews but the podcast focuses on seven, including, "an actor terrified his family would discover he was gay; a Native American leader determined to preserve his culture in the big city; and a Lithuanian tavern owner dedicated to street protest," Pulitzer-winning former Tribune columnist Schmich tells Axios.
- "I saw a unique opportunity to revive those people — those voices — and connect the 1960s to the 2020s."
Hopes for the listener: "That it will remind people that we're not the first Americans fearful of the social turmoil we're living in," Schmich says.
- Harris hopes it will "inspire people to go out and interview their oldest living relatives … set their phones down in front of them, hit record and ask them questions about their lives."
🎧 Listen to Division Street: Revisited here or sign up for listening club events starting in February.
6. Most romantic spot: Final four
We are down to the final four in our quest to find the city's most romantic spot.
State of play: This round is hard.
The final four: The Adler lakefront path, Oak Street Beach, the Garfield Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Lagoon.


🗳️ Round three voting here. We'll keep the polls open until 4pm.
Edited by Lindsey Erdody.
🎬 Carrie wants to see "E. 1027: Eileen Gray and the House By the Sea" as part of the Architecture and Design Film Festival.
🦅 Monica is intrigued by a Cooper's Hawk who showed up on her Lakeview porch this week with a pigeon dinner in hand. Don't look at this photo if you're squeamish.
🎂 Justin wishes his mom a happy birthday!
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