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| | | Refugees and People Granted Asylum Face SNAP Cuts | As many as 16,000 people in Illinois could lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to a recent change in eligibility for immigrants. That includes thousands of families and individuals who are refugees, have been granted asylum, or are survivors of human trafficking and torture. | | New restrictions on immigrants receiving SNAP took effect in the state on April 1. They stem from President Donald Trump’s tax overhaul, which passed last year, and expanded work requirements for immigrants receiving benefits. | | Refugees can now only receive SNAP benefits as a legal permanent resident. Although refugees have been granted a pathway to citizenship in the past, the federal government isn’t processing green card applications. | | Who else is at risk? On Feb. 1, expanded work requirements went into effect. The law required all recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 to work or volunteer a minimum of 80 hours per month to keep their benefits. Illinois had a waiver for the requirement, but now anyone who doesn't fulfill the requirement or receive an exemption by May 1 will lose their benefits. Approximately 150,000 people could get pushed out of the program, according to state estimates. | | | How is Chicago responding? Last week, the city gave 67 organizations $4,500 grants through the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The funding aims to help small businesses and groups impacted by deportations and SNAP cuts. | | Where to find food assistance: You can explore the Greater Chicago Food Depository's food pantries, meal programs, and partners on its find food map. | | | Want to help? Luckily, Chicagoans always step up. There are plenty of ways you can support those at risk of losing their food assistance benefits, including donating to or volunteering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. | |
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| | | Ever notice how the best part of anything is right in the middle? Come see for yourself in Illinois, where you can hit the trails in breathtaking state parks. Experience classic Americana on Route 66. And even kayak through a glistening canyon of skyscrapers. It’s all right here in Illinois. |
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| What Chicago's Talking About |
| | | Flooding in Chicago | Heavy rain is getting more severe, University of Illinois researchers warn. Storms can drop 8.5 inches of rain in 24 hours — and Chicago sewers can only handle two inches. Meanwhile, some residents are still recovering from past floods. [Sun-Times] | | | Get Ready for Summer Camp Registration | Signing up for Chicago Park District summer camps can be “notoriously anxiety-provoking.” Those camps fill up fast! So, the city is hosting two webinars Tuesday to demystify the process. [Block Club] | | | Archive of 10,000 Indie Concerts. Plus, Chicago’s Worst Sports Trades | The West Ridge YMCA location, which closed in 2021, is now for sale. On today’s podcast, we discuss the details, as well as one local music fan’s collection of 10,000 concert recordings. [City Cast Chicago 🎧] | | Will Candy Save the Mag Mile? | With 60,000 square feet across three floors, the Candy Hall of Fame Experience is the Magnificent Mile’s biggest lease in over a decade. Its exact offerings are “more secretive than Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory,” according to officials, but the space is slated to open summer 2027. Availability rates in the area were about 28% at the end of 2025, down from a pandemic high of 34%. [Crain’s 🔒] | | | Stolen Gun from Police Station Used | A gun allegedly stolen from a Chicago Police Department buyback program at the Gresham District station in 2023 has been involved in three separate shootings. New records show no charges were ever filed and no officers were ever disciplined. [Illinois Answers Project] | |
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Oops! Thanks to reader Allison L. for pointing out that Friday’s edition of the newsletter contained an incorrect link to our latest news quiz. Here’s the correct one … But be honest: How well did you do on that other quiz from over a year ago? 🙃 |
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